News

Less dyskinesia with Duopa tied to reduced pain, improved life quality

The easing of dyskinesia — the involuntary movements associated with advanced Parkinson’s disease — seen with use of the approved medication Duopa (levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel) was tied to reduced pain and improved health-related quality of life among patients following treatment. That’s according to a new analysis of clinical…

Metabolite of cancer medication shows promise for Parkinson’s

A metabolite called M324 of the cancer medicine rucaparib is able to reduce the abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein in nerve cells derived from people with Parkinson’s disease, showing its potential for treating the neurodegenerative disorder, according to a new study. Metabolites are molecules that result from the biochemical…

Grant will advance VNA-318 for Parkinson’s, age-related diseases

The Swiss company Vandria has been awarded a multimillion-dollar research grant to help advance the development of VNA-318, its therapy candidate for age-related neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. Totaling 2.5 million Swiss francs (about $2.8 million), the grant is funded by the Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse, which provides…

Application of Parkinson’s therapy IPX203 resubmitted to FDA

Amneal Pharmaceuticals has resubmitted its application for IPX203, an investigational extended-release oral formulation of carbidopa and levodopa for treating Parkinson’s disease. The move follows a request by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2023 for more information on the safety of IPX203’s carbidopa component…

Vyalev, steady levodopa/carbidopa infusion, now available in Canada

Vyalev, a brand name for AbbVie’s ABBV-951 (foslevodopa/foscarbidopa), is now available in Canada as a continuous, subcutaneous (under-the-skin) infusion treatment for people with advanced Parkinson’s disease and motor symptoms that cannot be well controlled with oral medications. “AbbVie is proud to deliver the first new treatment…

Long-term tai chi for Parkinson’s patients may improve cognition

Long-term practice of the Chinese martial art tai chi for Parkinson’s disease was shown to ease nonmotor symptoms among patients in a yearlong trial in China. Specifically, improved cognition was seen among people with the neurodegenerative disease after one year of the exercise program, according to study data. Conversely, at…