Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: GLMD) announced the development of an orally dispersible film (ODF) formulation of its drug candidate Aramchol, targeting Parkinson's disease treatment, according to a company statement.

The ODF formulation showed approximately 150% higher systemic bioavailability and approximately 300% greater central nervous system (CNS) exposure compared to conventional oral administration in preclinical testing. The film dissolves within seconds without water, which Galmed says addresses dysphagia, a swallowing difficulty that affects up to 80% of Parkinson's patients as the disease progresses.

Aramchol is a stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) inhibitor. Galmed states the compound targets biological mechanisms associated with alpha-synuclein aggregation and Lewy body formation, which are linked to neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. The company previously reported in-vitro data showing Aramchol dose-dependently reduced alpha-synuclein aggregation without associated toxicity.

The ODF formulation is designed to reduce first-pass hepatic metabolism through buccal and sublingual absorption, with the goal of maximizing drug concentration in the brain.

CEO Allen Baharaff stated: "We believe that combining enhanced CNS exposure to SCD1 inhibition with convenient administration creates an important competitive advantage of Aramchol ODF formulation over conventional therapies."

Galmed said it is positioning the Parkinson's program as a candidate for out-licensing or co-development arrangements. The company did not disclose a timeline for clinical trials in Parkinson's disease.