Schwarz Pharma posts ‘positive results’ for dopamine agonist

Global pharmaceutical firm Schwarz Pharama has announced positive results of a recent trial of the dopamine agonist rotigotine in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The Randomized, Blind, Controlled Trial of Transdermal Rotigotine in Early Parkinson Disease trial published in the journal Neurology, featured a once a daily dose of the drug via a transdermal patch.

Some participants were treated with the patches while others were administered placebos, with the rotigotine patients showing “significantly improved” symptoms after six-months compared to the placebo group.

Conducted by Ray L Watts, MD, director of Clinical research and Chairman of neurology at the University of Alabama, the phase III trial focused on 302 patients suffering from early-stage idiopathic PD.

During the 27-week study, adverse effects reported by the rotigotine group included mild to moderate nausea, dizziness and headaches.

“Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder and this important study showed that rotigotine may be safe and effective, and potentially be of significant value in the treatment of early-stage PD,” said Dr. Watts.

Designed to mimic the action of dopamine, rotigotine is currently marketed in Europe as a treatment for the early symptoms of PD.

Schwarz Pharama develops and manufactures drugs with a focus on central nervous system, cardiovascular and gastro-intestinal diseases.