Research company Irlab Therapeutics has announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase Ib LIFT-PD study with the drug candidate IRL757, aimed at treating apathy in Parkinson's disease. This milestone triggers a payment of $3 million, which will be disbursed in installments throughout 2026, according to a press release.

The study is funded by partner MSRD, an indirect subsidiary of Otsuka.

The trial will include 75 patients across 16 centers in Europe.

"The strong scientific and financial support from our partner, MSRD, enables us to continue developing this first-in-class drug candidate efficiently, with the goal of improving the quality of life for the large number of people who currently lack treatment options for this severely disabling condition," said Kristina Torfgård, CEO of Irlab.