The Huntington Disease trial, Reach2HD, is a six-month trial in 100 patients with early to mid-stage Huntington disease. An IND was opened to conduct the trial across sites in the US and Australia.

Dr Ira Shoulson, professor of Neurology, Pharmacology and Human Science at Georgetown University (Washington DC) and the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Huntington Study Group, said, "PBT2 attracted our attention as an experimental drug with the potential to bring real benefit to Huntington disease patients who suffer from a range of motor, behavioural and cognitive symptoms. The favorable signals from the PBT2 trial in Alzheimer's disease are particularly promising."

Only one drug is marketed for Huntington disease and that is only for the relief of the severe motor or chorea symptoms. There are no approved treatments for the significant cognitive and behavioural components of the disease, which typically manifest before motor problems. "The trial objective is to demonstrate safety, motor and behavioral benefits and the same cognitive benefits for Huntington's patients that it has already demonstrated in Alzheimer's patients treated with PBT2," said Mr Kempler.