Novartis Pharmaceuticals gets Parkinson’s approval

Novartis has received positive opinion recommending approval of Exelon in the EU (rivastigmine tartrate) as first treatment of mild to moderately severe dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMEA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) decision to recommend that the European Commission grants a marketing authorization for Exelon follows a similar decision in Switzerland.

James Shannon, Novartis global head of development, said: “This is encouraging news for Parkinson’s patients who are affected by dementia.

“Although movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be managed quite well with current treatments, dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease could not be treated until now. Novartis hopes that Exelon will soon be approved for this new indication in many more countries around the world.”

Exelon is already widely used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease dementia and it works by increasing the communication between certain nerve cells in the brain.

Mary Baker, president of the European Parkinson’s Disease Association, said: “Dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease is a significant emotional, economic and social burden for patients and their families.

“We therefore welcome therapies like Exelon which give new hope to families caring for a loved one with dementia and may improve the quality of life of the whole family.”

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