Novartis gets approval for Exelon in Parkinson’s patients

Novartis has revealed it has received FDA approval for Exelon for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia resulting from Parkinson’s disease.

The announcement follows European Union approval in March, allowing all EU member states to prescribe Exelon for Parkinson’s disease dementia. The drug has already been in use for some years as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

After the results of a clinical trial involving 541 patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia, Exelon was found to increase cognitive functions and patients showed a better ability to deal with everyday life than those using the placebo.

Jeffrey Cummings, professor of neurology at the University of California, stated: “The outcomes demonstrated in this trial by patients taking Exelon can translate into meaningful gains – such as taking a more active role in everyday life, interacting with loved ones, and maintaining independence longer – all of which can make a real difference for both patients and their families.”

“Exelon has consistently demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease patients and can now also benefit individuals living with Parkinson’s disease dementia,” he added.

Novartis was one of the companies affected by NICE’s ruling that patients with mild and newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease should not receive prescriptions for acetylcholinerase inhibitors – a class of drug in which Exelon belongs – on the NHS. The Swiss pharmaceutical company described the ruling as “extremely disappointing” and based on “perverse” cost-efficiency calculations.

NICE said the decision was made on a cost vs effectiveness basis.

According to the UK’s Parkinson’s Disease Society, some of the latest research into the disease involves stem cell research and gene therapy.

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