An Australian-developed drug to ease the debilitating symptoms of dementia is being trialled in several states throughout the country.

Dementia can lead to behavioural and psychological changes, affecting a majority of patients during their illness, causing them distress and putting pressure on family and caregivers.

“We think of dementia as a loss of memory, but that’s nowhere near as difficult or frustrating to look after than changes in personality and behaviour, including agitation and aggression,” said Associate Professor Michael Woodward, Austin Health Aged Care and Memory Clinic Director.

The new drug called KNX100 is designed as an alternative to antipsychotic medications which carry significant side-effects and are considered a last resort when non-pharmaceutical interventions fail.

“It’s important that we’re able to develop new treatments that are targeted and that don’t have the side-effects particularly drowsiness that we encounter,” Trial Principal Investigator Dr Peter de Wet said .

“We need smart medications that don’t just sedate a person, don’t just chemically restrain them,” Associate Professor Woodward said.

A total of 60 dementia patients who are living at home are being recruited to participate in trials across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

The drug has already been shown in earlier trials to be safe and tolerable.

“It interferes with an enzyme (in the brain) that we know is associated with the signalling pathway that leads to agitation, aggression and other symptoms that are distressing to patients with dementia,” he said.

The innovation originated from research at the University of Sydney which led to spin out company Kinoxis.

“We’re providing a solution that we believe is a significant unmet need,”

“We aim to further develop and invest in this to take it as far as possible towards approval,” said Hugh Alsop, Kinoxis Therapeutics CEO.