News

Alpha-blockers for Enlarged Prostate May Lower Parkinson’s Risk

Some medications currently used to treat enlarged prostate, such as alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists — called alpha-blockers — might lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study. While more research is needed to fully determine a causal effect of alpha-blockers in treating the neurodegenerative disease, scientists…

Research Targets Misfolded Alpha-synuclein

Scientists at Cognition Therapeutics have found that compounds that are able to dampen the activity of sigma-2 receptors — receptors that are part of a network that controls the destruction of misfolded proteins — are highly effective at preventing molecule trafficking defects driven by the presence of misfolded alpha-synuclein inside…

Biogen Discontinues Development of Cinpanemab

Due to negative clinical trial findings, Biogen has discontinued the development of cinpanemab (BIIB054), an investigational medication intended to treat Parkinson’s disease, the company announced in its 2020 investors report. Cinpanemab is a human-derived antibody that targets alpha-synuclein, thought to be one of the key hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease. In the…

FDA Approves Gocovri as Add-On Therapy for Off Episodes

Gocovri (amantadine) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an add-on therapy for off episodes in people with Parkinson’s disease. Adamas Pharmaceuticals, which developed the therapy, announced its approval in the U.S. for Parkinson’s patients currently taking levodopa and/or carbidopa. Off…

Equfina Launched in S. Korea as Add-on for ‘Off’ Periods

Eisai Korea has launched Equfina (safinamide) in South Korea as an add-on therapy to levodopa for people with Parkinson’s disease who are experiencing “off” episodes. Equfina was approved in South Korea last year and this represents the medication’s first launch in Asia outside of Japan. Marketed as Xadago…