Merck Serono to publish Parkinson’s drug trial data

Merck Serono will be highlighting data for its new Parkinson's disease drug safinamide at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual meeting this week.

The pharmaceutical company is attending the industry conference in Honolulu in order to showcase the benefits of the treatment among patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations, when used as an add-on therapy to levodopa.

Data presented by Merck Serono will particularly highlight how safinamide can help to reduce levels of levodopa-induced dyskinesia.

Both Merck Serono and its development partner Newron Pharmaceuticals believe the data from the phase III clinical studies of the drug will help to build its therapeutic profile.

Dr Bernhard Kirschbaum, the firm's head of global research and development, said: "We are committed to provide new therapy options for patients with Parkinson's disease, an area with significant remaining medical need."

The company is also presenting data on a number of multiple sclerosis therapies at the AAN meeting, including Rebif, RebiSmart and Cladribine Tablets.