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The Spark #1: Largest PD Trial Launches as Stem-Cell and Drug Therapies Advance

By S —

The UK launches its largest-ever trial (ACT-PD), stem-cell therapies show real recovery signs, and a new drug (HER-096) moves closer to testing brain protection. A paper exploring mild hypoxia as therapy and today’s tip: start your morning with gentle stretches.

The brief

Fresh sparks from the world of Parkinson’s

  • The new EJS ACT-PD trial is the largest ever in Parkinson’s, enrolling 1,600 people across 40+ UK hospitals. It will test several repurposed drugs at once, starting with a blood pressure and a prostate drug, using a fast, flexible design that can add or drop drugs as results emerge. Recruitment is open to adults with early Parkinson’s.
  • The ASPIRO Trial has shown promising early clinical results using patients’ own cells transformed into dopamine-producing neurons. The therapy has been found safe and well-tolerated in humans, with early signs of clinical improvement, suggesting regenerative potential without immunosuppressive drugs. Aspen recently announced they would enroll a third group of patients in their trial.
  • A new drug called HER-096 has shown early promise in protecting brain cells in Parkinson’s. The phase 1 trial found it was safe, reached the brain, and mimics a natural growth factor (CDNF) that may help prevent cell damage. The next step is a phase 2 trial to test whether it can actually slow or stop disease progression.
  • Stem-cell therapy Bemdaneprocel showed encouraging results in its Phase 1 trial. The transplanted dopamine-producing cells survived, formed connections in the brain, and helped improve movement and daily function in several participants, with no major safety issues reported. Next is a larger Phase 3 trial to confirm whether these benefits can be reproduced at scale.
  • South Korean researchers at Yonsei University reported that patients with advanced Parkinson’s showed motor improvement after receiving stem-cell-derived dopamine neuron transplants. A renowned orchestra conductor, forced to quit due to Parkinson's, returned to performance after cell therapy eliminated disabling tremors. Another patient, previously unable to walk, now plays table tennis as a result of the same treatment.

Paper Under Review

Hypoxia Conditioning as a Therapeutic Approach in Parkinson's Disease.
Research suggests that low oxygen supply (hypoxia) plays a significant role in the development of Parkinson's disease. While severe hypoxia can harm the brain, mild hypoxia may trigger protective adaptations. This paper explores how controlled exposure to mild hypoxia—known as hypoxia conditioning—could be used as a potential therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Spark tip

While still in bed in the morning, it’s a good idea to gently stretch your legs (by bending and extending your knees) or make circles with your shoulders, elbows, and wrists. You can also stretch your arms, do gentle trunk twists, and practice pelvic tilts to wake up your body smoothly and get your muscles moving.

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Disclaimer: SparkPD is for informational purposes only and not medical advice.