Parkinson's drug pipeline diversifies as firms seek disease-modifying therapies

Several pharmaceutical companies are shifting away from the traditional alpha-synuclein antibody strategy and exploring alternative mechanisms to treat Parkinson's disease. AC Immune is highlighted as an example of a firm pursuing novel approaches that could deliver the first disease-modifying therapy.

Analysts note that the Parkinson's market could reach about $8 billion by 2035, making it one of the largest untapped opportunities in neuroscience. Jefferies analysts describe the indication as a major growth area for drugmakers.

Despite a growing patient base projected to exceed two million in the U.S. and Europe over the next decade, the field remains difficult because of late diagnoses, slow disease progression and heterogeneous biology, which have contributed to many clinical setbacks.