Parkinson's Disease
Is Angiogenesis a Treatment and Potential Cure?
Zhittya Genesis Medicine is developing a drug, fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1), to possibly treat Parkinson's disease by growing new blood vessels in ischemic tissue in the brain.
FGF-1 is a potent stimulator of angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels) and is capable of growing these new blood vessels in ischemic areas of the body, including the brain. Research has indicated that a lack of blood perfusion to dopamine producing neurons located in the substantia nigra region of the brain lead to a lack of dopamine and the classic symptoms of Parkinson's.
Zhittya has dosed over 120 patients suffering with Parkinson's disease in our medical research studies. Beyond demonstrating impressive safety data, it also improved the motor scores of all Parkinson's patients in the study. Some patients even reported feeling cognitive improvement in areas such as sleeping, memory, and clearer thinking.
In the past, FGF-1 has been able to grow new blood vessels in the human body. In a US FDA Phase IIA clinical trial, conducted at the University of Cincinnati, our drug was able to grow new blood vessels in the hearts of individuals with coronary artery disease, improving many of their symptoms.
FGF-1 has also shown excellent efficacy in treating Parkinson's disease in Cynomolgus monkey models. After being injected with a neurotoxin that selectively destroys dopamine-producing neurons, the two groups of monkeys came down with the classic symptoms of Parkinson's disease. After one group was administered FGF-1 and the other a placebo dose, the FGF-1 administered monkeys not only improved their motor scores almost to normal, but also increased their dopamine production and decreased their build up of alpha-synuclein plaque.
Zhittya Genesis Medicine has prepared multiple videos, listed below, discussing our possible treatment for Parkinson's disease. As mentioned above, Zhittya Genesis Medicine's most recent medical research studies in humans not only demonstrate that FGF-1 is safe when delivered intranasally, but hint at signs of efficacy, even showing a 20–80% improvement in motor scores following a month-long dosing period. Zhittya Genesis Medicine is currently conducting additional medical research studies and clinical trials in an effort to determine if FGF-1 is a possible remedy for the root cause of Parkinson's disease: diminished blood flow, leading to dysfunctional dopamine producing neurons.
This artist's illustration represents our understanding of FGF-1's role in the brains of Parkinson's disease patients. FGF-1 stimulates the division of blood vessel cells in ischemic regions, fostering regulated blood vessel growth to restore blood flow where needed most. Naturally occurring in the body, FGF-1 aids in regenerating blood vessels following injuries like cuts or bruises. It is well-tolerated, and our dosages have shown no adverse effects.