Latest news on treatments in R&D for Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

More than 30 drugs are being evaluated in clinical trials for their therapeutic potential in Parkinson’s disease. Of these, at least 10 are in phase III testing or are awaiting registration. Among the benefits offered by these new drugs is the ability to delay the need for levodopa therapy. In this respect, the new agents may provide serious competition to Pharmacia & Upjohn’s dopamine agonist cabergoline, which was approved for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease earlier this year. New data on ropinirole, another dopamine agonist cabergoline, which was approved for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease earlier this year. New data on ropinirole, another dopamine agonist, and several other agents in research and development were presented at the 4th International Congress of Movement Disorders [ Vienna, Austria; June 1996 ].