Merck Serono drug ‘significantly improves motor function’

Merck Serono’s Safinamide significantly improves motor function in advanced Parkinson’s disease patients, it has been revealed.

In a phase III pivotal trial, the drug – jointly developed with Newron Pharmaceuticals – was found to increase ‘on time’ – when sufferers experience their best level of movement – in levodopa-treated patients who have mid to late-stage strains of the condition.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Bernhard Kirschbaum, executive vice-president for global research and development at the company’s Serono division, said the results “represent a further step” towards the company’s goal to provide patients and doctors with “urgently needed” treatment.

Newron’s chief medical officer Dr Ravi Anand added the results were “extremely encouraging”, noting “results from both early and advanced Parkinson’s disease patients underline safinamide’s potential to be used as adjunctive therapy along the continuum of Parkinson’s disease.”

Last month, efficacy study data revealed Merck’s Erbitux treatment produced a response rate of 53 per cent in patients with KRAS wild-type tumours.