Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and H. Lundbeck have announced the results of two phase III clinical studies with an immediate release formulation of etilevodopa, a soluble prodrug of levodopa, in advanced Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients.
Etilevodopa was found to be well tolerated and as effective as levodopa. On the primary endpoint, shortened the time to clinical effect, etilevodopa did not demonstrate statistically significant superiority over standard levodopa.
The studies - RAPID, conducted in North America, and RONDO, conducted in the EU - included over 700 advanced Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations, who were treated for four months with either etilevodopa/carbidopa or continued treatment with standard levodopa/carbidopa.
President and CEO of Teva Israel Makov said "the results with etilevodopa are disappointing, however, Teva and Lundbeck will continue their joint research program in the field of Parkinson's Disease and we look forward to the successful completion of the clinical development of rasagiline in the next few months".
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is headquartered in Israel and is among the top 35 pharmaceutical companies in the world. More than 80 percent of Teva's sales are in North America and Europe. The company develops, manufacturers and markets generic and branded human pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
