In a significant setback for Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company (SPARC), shares plummeted by 5 percent on April 10 as the Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company announced the abandonment of its Phase 2 study on Vodobatinib for Parkinson's disease.

Phase 2 Study Abandoned:
SPARC's decision to abandon the Phase 2 study on Vodobatinib follows disappointing interim results from the PROSEEK trial. The global study, which enrolled 513 patients with early Parkinson's disease across the United States, Europe, and India, aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the selective c-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Trial Details and Interim Analysis:
The PROSEEK trial sought to assess whether Vodobatinib could improve symptoms in patients with early Parkinson's disease, as measured by the Movement Disorder Society – Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III. Despite enrolling a significant number of patients and completing 40 weeks of treatment, the interim analysis based on data from 442 patients revealed that Vodobatinib did not demonstrate superiority over placebo in achieving the primary endpoint.

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Market Impact and Investor Concerns:
The announcement of the study's abandonment had an immediate impact on SPARC shares, which were locked in a 5 percent lower circuit on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). While the stock has delivered substantial returns over the past year, this setback underscores the inherent risks associated with pharmaceutical research and development. Investors are closely monitoring SPARC's next steps and the implications for its pipeline and future prospects.

Conclusion:
SPARC's decision to abandon the Phase 2 study on Vodobatinib for Parkinson's disease represents a significant setback in its efforts to develop innovative therapies. The disappointing interim results highlight the challenges and uncertainties inherent in pharmaceutical research and development. As SPARC navigates this setback, investors are keenly observing the company's response and its impact on its market trajectory and long-term growth prospects in the pharmaceutical industry.

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