Government to fund Parkinson's drug trials

The Government is to invest $1.27 million in clinical trials of a potentially ground-breaking drug for Parkinson's disease.

Approval of the second phase of clinical trials of MitoQ was granted last week, and screening for the 120 mainly New Zealand patients has already begun.

The latest cash boost comes on top of $2.5 million of Government funds invested in Auckland biotechnology company Antipodean Pharmaceuticals to develop the drug.