Vernalis plc, a revenue generating development stage pharmaceutical company with significant expertise in drug development, has announced successful results from a Receptor Occupancy (RO) study with V81444, its A2A antagonist which has potential applications in Parkinson’s disease and other CNS indications.

The RO study examined the relationship between dose, plasma concentration and blockade of the A2A receptor using positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and included a preliminary evaluation, using functional MRI (fMRI), of the effects of V81444 on cognitive function.

The RO study demonstrated that full A2A blockade could be achieved with single doses that were within the range of doses previously shown to be well tolerated with no safety concerns. The RO study has provided confirmation of the appropriate dose to be used in the forthcoming clinical proof-of-concept trial.

Vernalis now plans to initiate, in the first half of next year, a Phase IIa proof-of-concept study to further evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of V81444 in patients, together with an evaluation of efficacy in a target patient population.

Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis commented “We are very pleased with these results and are already actively preparing for the continued development of this exciting programme over the next 12 months”.