UCB Pharmaceuticals drug shows efficacy in Parkinson’s treatment

UCB Pharmaceuticals has published data demonstrating the efficacy of its drug Neupro as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

According to findings published at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting, patients trialled using the drug showed improvements in early morning motor symptoms when compared to placebo.

The drug also showed efficacy in reducing non-motor symptoms such as depression, fatigue, pain and cognition problems.

This trial, which was conducted among 287 patients, is the first study of its kind to assess both motor and non-motor effects in this way.

Professor Ray Chaudhuri, consultant neurologist and professor in neurology and movement disorders at Kings College NHS Foundation Trust, said these effects “translated into improvements in quality of life for our patients”.

This comes after data published earlier this week showed that Neupro is also an effective long-term treatment for sufferers of restless legs syndrome, which can create sustained improvements in symptoms.