Clinical trial offers hope for Parkinson’s patients

05 October 2026 - "I look forward to the outcome of the trial, with the hope that a new treatment for Parkinson’s may be on the horizon.”

Researchers at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are investigating whether a new drug could treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

The ARISE trial is analysing whether an oral medication called solengepras (CVN424) could benefit people living with Parkinson’s Disease who have problems with their movement, balance and coordination.

The international trial is observing an overactive receptor in the brain in Parkinson’s Disease that is thought to contribute to the sensations of stiffness, slowness, unsteadiness, and shaking that many people experience. Researchers are now studying whether solengepras (CVN424) can potentially reduce overactivity, and help people living with Parkinson’s Disease to manage their symptoms.

Caroline Thomson (pictured above) is a patient at King’s College Hospital who has been living with Parkinson’s Disease for eight years and is one of the ARISE trial participants. She said: “The treatment and care that gives me my quality of life would not exist without decades of research, and so it feels extremely rewarding to be part of a trial that could improve the lives of Parkinson’s patients years in the future.

“By taking part in research, I have had the opportunity to learn so much about Parkinson’s Disease, and what I can do to make life easier and more enjoyable. While I do not yet know whether I received solengepras (CVN424) or a placebo, I look forward to the outcome of the trial, with the hope that a new treatment for Parkinson’s may be on the horizon.”

Dr Mubasher Qamar, Senior Movement Disorder and Neurology Clinical and Research Fellow at King’s, said: “Parkinson’s Disease has a number of wide-ranging effects on people’s quality of life, including an impact on movement, causing tremor, slowness and stiffness. There is currently no cure, and as the condition progresses, standard treatments can become less effective at controlling symptoms, leaving people with “motor fluctuations”: unpredictable swings between good and poor symptom control throughout the day.

“This international Phase 3 study, which has recruited 341 participants across the US, Europe, the UK and Australia, aims to show whether solengepras (CVN424) could potentially improve those motor fluctuations, helping people control their symptoms more efficiently. We are extremely proud that King’s was the highest recruiting site for the ARISE study in the UK, one of a number of trials behind our reaccreditation as a Parkinson’s Foundation Centre of Excellence.

“We are grateful to everyone who gave up their time to be part of this research, and to the research team at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) King’s Clinical Research Facility at King’s who helped make this possible.”

Results from the ARISE Phase 3 study are expected later this year.

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