Zambon S.p.A., an international pharmaceutical company committed to the CNS therapeutic area, and its partner Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (Newron), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the CNS and pain, announced the availability of Xadago (safinamide) in the United Kingdom.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly after Alzheimer’s disease, affecting 1-2% of individuals aged = 65 years worldwide. The diagnosis of PD is mainly based on observational criteria of muscular rigidity, resting tremor, or postural instability in combination with bradykinesia.
Xadago (safinamide) is now available in the UK for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The UK is the latest country launching Xadago, which is also available in seven other countries: Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden.
Andrew Lees, MD FRCP, FMedSci, Professor of Neurology, (The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square and Emeritus Director, Reta Lila, Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, University College London, Institute of Neurology) said “After 10 years with no new drugs for Parkinson’s disease I welcome the addition of another effective treatment option for patients”.
Maurizio Castorina, CEO of Zambon S.p.A. said “We are committed to developing innovative therapies for patients suffering from PD and other central nervous system diseases. Xadago offers PD patients a novel therapeutic option in the treatment of this progressive disease”.
Safinamide is a new chemical entity with a unique mode of action including selective and reversible MAO-B-inhibition and blocking of voltage dependent sodium channels which leads to modulation of abnormal glutamate release. Clinical trials have established its efficacy in controlling motor symptoms and motor complications in the short term, with data supporting this effect over 2 years. Results from 6 month double-blind controlled studies suggest that safinamide shows statistically significant effects on motor fluctuations (ON/OFF time) without increasing the risk of developing troublesome dyskinesia. Safinamide is a once-daily dose and has no diet restrictions.
