Prana trial gains interest from Huntington’s disease community

Prana Biotechnology (ASX: PBT) has received a lot of attention from international patient groups at this week’s World Congress on Huntington’s Disease in Melbourne, particularly in regard to upcoming phase II trials of its drug PBT2.

“It has been very heart-warming to be so well received by the Huntington’s community,” says Prana Executive Chairman, Geoffrey Kempler.

“Since we decided to conduct a Phase IIa trial of our experimental drug PBT2 in Huntington’s patients, the Huntington’s community has been very quick to support our research program.”

Patient groups in Australia and the United States have welcomed the news of the planned trial. “It’s very exciting and positive that an Australian company is conducting such extensive research to help us learn more about this disease and to identify a potential treatment to help patients,” said Shiralee Judge, chair of Huntington’s Disease Australia.

“Huntington’s is a very challenging disease, currently without an effective treatment or cure. Patients are very interested in new clinical research and we are looking forward to assisting Prana and their team of researchers with their investigation of PBT2.”

The clinical trial will be conducted in conjunction with U.S. based schools, including Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital and Johns Hopkins University.

“We are hopeful and encouraged by Prana’s commitment and look forward to the start of recruitment,” said Huntington’s Disease Society of America CEO, Louise Vetter.

“Patients and families have always been involved in research which fosters a better understanding of this disease and will undoubtedly embrace this new opportunity. We are anxiously awaiting more information on Prana's trial.”

Prana’s earlier Alzheimer’s trial showed that PBT2 significantly improves cognitive Executive Function in patients. This is relevant to Huntington’s disease given these patients also suffer cognitive decline.

Prana researchers believe PBT2 can bring the same cognitive benefits to Huntington’s disease patients that it did to Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Prana will need to recruit approximately 100 people with early stages of the disease across Australia and the United States, at 14-16 sites. Patients will be followed over six months. Researchers will assess safety, tolerability and efficacy of PBT2. Final results are expected late in 2013.