# Development of S-PCT3010 to treat Parkinson's Disease

> **NIH NIH R44** · POLYCORE THERAPEUTICS, LLC · 2021 · $652,132

## Abstract

Abstract
Polycore Therapeutics is developing S-PCT3010, a pharmaceutically tractable small molecule
which significantly reduces motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disease
affecting 1% of people aged 60 or older in industrialized countries. Genetic, epigenetic and
environmental factors are linked to its incidence. PD pathology is associated with progressive loss
of dopaminergic neurons in the mid brain and the presence of Lewy bodies. The gold standard
for treating motor impairment in PD is with levodopa (L-DOPA) or other dopamine receptor
agonists. These therapeutics are highly efficacious in treating motor symptoms, however, chronic
use of these medications lead to painful dyskinesias or impulse control disorders in addition to
worsening of non-motor symptoms. S-PCT3010 is a novel dopamine receptor agonist but with
significantly differentiated mechanism of action. S-PCT3010 was rationally designed to overcome
the limitations of existing therapies and is predicted to reduce motor symptoms in PD patients
without the risk of developing tolerance, on/off effects, dyskinesias or impulsive behaviors.
 In preliminary results, Polycore has demonstrated that S-PCT3010 is very efficacious in
improving motor impairment in rodent models of PD. S-PCT3010 has very desirable drug-like
properties. Based on the mechanism of action, S-PCT3010 and its parent molecule PCT-3010
only recruit the G-protein coupled pathway for signaling thus promoting improvements in
movement, attenuates dyskinesias induced by L-DOPA and is not expected to induce impulsive
behaviors. The specific aims for this Phase II SBIR grant will complete proof of concept studies
in a regulatory compliant fashion for future IND submission.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10238786
- **Project number:** 5R44NS117201-02
- **Recipient organization:** POLYCORE THERAPEUTICS, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Kelly A Beck
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $652,132
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-15 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10238786

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10238786, Development of S-PCT3010 to treat Parkinson's Disease (5R44NS117201-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10238786. Licensed CC0.

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