The phase 3 Exenatide-PD3 study is a UK-wide clinical trial that evaluated whether exenatide may slow the progression of Parkinson’s. Exenatide (also known as Bydureon) is a type 2 diabetes drug which has previously shown promise in both lab studies and early-stage trials for slowing the progression of Parkinson’s. 

This study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), 194 individuals with Parkinson’s took part in the 96-week trial.

The recent findings have indicated that people in the study who received exenatide did not benefit compared to those who received placebo – suggesting that the drug does not slow down the progression of Parkinson’s. 

See more information on the Parkinson’s UK website here.