Research 2026

2026 is a key year for Parkinson's research. Many important results and decisions came this year, some good and some disappointing. Here is my overview, as of October 2026.

The good news

New nerve cells from stem cells: approved in Japan

For me, this is the most exciting development. Researchers grow precursors of dopamine nerve cells from stem cells and implant them directly into the brain, right where the dopamine is missing. In April 2025, Kyoto University showed in Nature that the transplant was safe, the cells survived and produced dopamine, and motor function improved in several patients. In March 2026, Japan became the first country in the world to approve such a cell therapy, under the name Amchepry. The approval is temporary for now and comes with conditions, for patients whose medications no longer work well enough.

A decisive Phase 3 trial is also underway with bemdaneprocel from the company BlueRock. The first small study with twelve patients now shows good safety over more than three years and signs of fewer periods of poor mobility. It is not meant yet for people in the early stage like me. But for the first time, there is a therapy that replaces lost nerve cells.

Tavapadon approved in the US

On September 28, 2026, the FDA approved AbbVie's tavapadon under the name Juvmo: a tablet taken once a day that acts only on the D1 and D5 receptors and should therefore cause fewer side effects. Tavapadon relieves symptoms, but it does not stop the disease. In Europe, approval is still pending. More under Tavapadon.

The vaccine against Parkinson's: well tolerated

The Swiss company AC Immune is testing ACI-7104 (the VacSYn study), a vaccine that makes the immune system produce its own antibodies against clumped alpha-synuclein. In September 2026, after 100 weeks, the company reported that the vaccine was well tolerated by the 34 participants, and all vaccinated people produced antibodies that also reached the spinal fluid. Whether it slows the disease is still open, since this first part was not designed to show that. A larger second part is being prepared. I find this approach fascinating.

Buntanetap: my favorite among the new drugs

Buntanetap from Annovis Bio is a tablet meant to slow the production of several toxic proteins at once: alpha-synuclein, beta-amyloid, tau and TDP-43. In a Phase 3 trial with about 470 patients in the early stage, the company reported improvements in motor function and cognitive abilities. Independent confirmation is still missing. Since January 2026, a follow-up study with about 500 patients has been running over three years, along with a Phase 3 trial in Alzheimer's. The company plans to apply for approval starting in 2027.

Early detection

Clumped alpha-synuclein can now be detected in spinal fluid, skin or blood, often years before the first symptoms. This matters, because new therapies probably work better the earlier they start.

The setbacks

• LRRK2 inhibitor BIIB122 (LUMA study): in May 2026, it failed to slow progression in a large study with 648 patients. Another study is running for people with the corresponding gene mutation.
• BIA 28-6156 for GBA1 carriers (ACTIVATE study): in June 2026, it failed to slow progression in 273 patients, and development was stopped.
• Diabetes drugs (GLP-1): After the slightly positive lixisenatide result in 2024, the large British exenatide study in 2025 was unsuccessful. The excitement has cooled.

What is still running

• Prasinezumab: Since late 2025, this antibody against alpha-synuclein has been tested in a large Phase 3 trial with about 900 patients. Results are expected toward the end of the decade.
• Ambroxol: The old cough medicine is being tested in a large Phase 3 trial in the UK, and in Australia together with doxycycline. Results from Australia are expected around the end of 2026 or early 2027.
• Fexofenadine: a study in Egypt, with results expected at the end of 2026.
• Lithium: a pilot study with 20 patients in the early stage and 20 mg per day.
• CNM-Au8: a drinkable liquid made of tiny gold crystals from the US company Clene, meant to boost the energy metabolism of nerve cells. The Phase 2 study REPAIR-PD showed more energy in the brain. Clene is currently focusing on approval for ALS, so results for Parkinson's are not expected before 2030.
• NOPARK: 400 patients with early Parkinson's took 1,000 mg of nicotinamide riboside (vitamin B3) or a placebo for one year. This one is especially exciting because it is freely available. I will add the results as soon as they are published.

New technology

Since 2025, focused ultrasound may also be used on both sides, one after the other, in the US. For deep brain stimulation, there is now an adaptive version that adjusts to the current brain signals. More under Focused Ultrasound.

My conclusion

To this day, there is no drug that has been proven to stop Parkinson's. But there have never been so many serious approaches at the same time. I hope one of them arrives in time.