ProSavin is an experimental drug believed to be of use in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. It is administered to the striatum in the brain, inducing production of dopamine.
It is manufactured by Oxford BioMedica, who plan to start European Phase I and Phase II clinical trials in 2007. Animal trials have been a success, with dopamine levels restored without the side effects associated with other current treatments for Parkinson's, in particular, without the jerky involuntary movements associated with current drugs.
Mechanism of Action
Prosavin uses Oxford BioMedica's Lentivector delivery system to transfer three genes, aromatic amino acid dopa decarboxylase, tyrosine hydroxylase and GTP-cyclohydrolase 1, to the striatum in the brain, reprogramming transduced cells to secrete dopamine. http://www.oxfordbiomedica.co.uk/prosavin-r/