SkyePharma Parkinson’s drug ‘could deliver significant benefits’

SkyePharma has reported that the new once-daily formulation of its drug for Parkinson’s disease, Requi XL 24-hour, could deliver measurable benefits for patients with the condition and potentially improve compliance with the therapy.

Following the positive results of a study investigating the safety and efficacy of the 24-hour formulation of ropinirole, the company has submitted a filing for approval with the US Food and Drug Administration.

Requip XL 24-hour has been designed to be steadily absorbed by the body over a 24-hour period to reduce the level of blood plasma fluctuations during this time.

The recent study showed that patients administered with Requip XL 24-hour in addition to their existing levodopa therapy exhibited lengthened “off time” of over two hours a day.

Frank Condella, chief executive officer of SkyePharma, said: “This new once-daily version of Requip could deliver significant benefit for [Parkinson’s] patients and may improve compliance.”

He added that dopamine agonists are being increasingly recommended by physicians as a first-line therapy for patients with the condition.

Last month, SkyePharma announced that it had finalised the sale of its injectable business, in the process completing the firm’s financial restructuring plan set out in January 2007.