RecruitingPHASE3INTERVENTIONAL

Edmond J. Safra Accelerating Clinical Trials in Parkinson's Disease: A Multiarm Multi-stage Platform Trial

This important study, named after Edmond J. Safra, is looking for new treatments for Parkinson's disease, a condition that affects many people in the UK. We're testing various medicines, like Telmisartan and Terazosin, to see if they can help manage symptoms and slow the disease's progression. Instead of testing one drug at a time, we're using a smart approach to test several at once against a dummy pill (placebo). This helps us find promising treatments faster and more efficiently. We're also making sure these new treatments are safe. If a treatment looks good, it continues in the trial; otherwise, we stop it and try new options. We want to improve the lives of people with Parkinson's and reduce the challenges they face.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

PHASE3

Sponsor

University College, London

Enrolment target

1,200

Start

12 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

31 Jul 2031

Parkinsons Disease (PD)

What is this study about?

Parkinson's disease is a condition that affects the brain and can make everyday tasks challenging. It's becoming more common, and many people in the UK are living with it. While there are treatments that help with symptoms, they don't always work perfectly and can have side effects. That's why researchers are constantly looking for better options that can truly make a difference in people's lives.

This study, called the Edmond J. Safra Accelerating Clinical Trials, is a big step in that direction. It's designed to test new medicines that could help people with Parkinson's. The trial uses a special method that allows different treatments to be tested at the same time. This is much quicker and more efficient than testing each treatment separately. Some people will receive an active medicine, while others will get a placebo, which is a dummy pill with no active ingredients. This helps researchers work out if the new medicines are truly effective.

The treatments chosen for this study, such as Telmisartan and Terazosin, have been carefully selected based on existing information about their safety and how they might work. The aim is to find new and more effective ways to manage Parkinson's, reduce its impact on daily life, and hopefully improve the quality of life for those affected. The study is also set up to be flexible, meaning new promising treatments can be added over time.

Key takeaways

This study is testing new potential treatments for Parkinson's disease.
It uses a smart design to test several medicines at once, including 'dummy' pills (placebos).
It aims to find safer and more effective ways to manage Parkinson's symptoms.
The study involves regular check-ups, mostly done from home after an initial visit.
You can withdraw from the study at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to have a Parkinson's disease diagnosis confirmed by a specialist doctor. You must have been diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 30 or older, and there's no upper age limit for participants. You also need to have been taking your current Parkinson's medication (like levodopa or similar drugs) for at least two months before starting the study.

There are also some specific requirements for women who could become pregnant and their male partners. If you're a woman who could get pregnant, you'll need a negative pregnancy test at the start of the study and must be using effective contraception. Men whose partners could get pregnant also need to be using effective contraception. Finally, you need to be eligible for at least one of the treatments being tested, as there might be a few reasons why a particular medicine isn't suitable for you.

You wouldn't be able to join if your doctors think your symptoms might be caused by something other than Parkinson's, such as another movement disorder or drug-induced symptoms. The study will carefully check for these other conditions.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do you have a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson's disease from a specialist?
Were you diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 30 or older?
Have you been taking your current Parkinson's medication for at least two months?
If you are a woman of child-bearing potential, are you willing to use effective contraception and have a negative pregnancy test?
If you are a man with a partner of child-bearing potential, are you willing to use effective contraception?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to join this study, it could last for up to 36 months, which is three years. Initially, you'll have an in-person screening visit. After that, most of your visits will be done remotely – meaning you might not have to come into a clinic. These remote visits will happen at 3 months, 6 months, and then every 6 months after that.

During these visits, you'll fill out questionnaires about how you're feeling, have your Parkinson's symptoms assessed, and discuss any side effects you might be experiencing. You'll be given one of the study treatments (Telmisartan, Terazosin, or a placebo) to take regularly. The study team will keep you informed about how the trial is progressing, and the final results will be shared on the trial website and in medical journals.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several potential benefits. You would have regular monitoring of your Parkinson's symptoms by medical professionals and might receive a new treatment that could help manage your condition more effectively than current options. While the study carefully selects treatments with known safety profiles, there's always a risk of side effects from any medication, including the study drugs, some of which might be unknown. You could also receive a placebo, which means you wouldn't get an active medicine. Your safety is a top priority, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

UCLH
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Clinical Ageing Research Unit
Verified postcode
Newcastle, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a brain condition that affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. It can also affect speech, balance, and memory.

What is a placebo?

A placebo is a 'dummy' pill or treatment that looks exactly like the real medicine but contains no active ingredients. It helps researchers understand if the new drug actually works better than doing nothing.

How long will I be in the study?

You could be in the study for up to 36 months, which is three years. The last visit will be at 36 months.

Will I have to travel for all my appointments?

No, after an initial in-person screening visit, most of the follow-up visits can be completed remotely, which means you might not have to travel.

Can I stop participating in the study at any time?

Yes, you are free to leave the study at any point, for any reason, without it affecting your regular medical care.

How to find out more

MRC CTU at UCL Trial Team

mrcctu.ejsactpd@ucl.ac.uk +44 (0) 20 7670 4700 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.