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RLS, Parkinson's drug Neupro gets Japanese nod

28 December 2012 | News | By BioSpectrum Bureau

Hope for Parkinson's disease and idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome patients - Japan approves Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Neupro rotigotine transdermal patch

Hope for Parkinson's disease and idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome patients - Japan approves Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Neupro rotigotine transdermal patch

Singapore: The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved Neupro (rotigotine transdermal patch) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and for the symptomatic treatment of moderate-to-severe idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in adults. In 2002 Otsuka Pharmaceutical acquired the exclusive rights for developing and marketing Neupro in Japan. UCB is responsible for the development and marketing in all other regions worldwide.

Rotigotine is a once-daily transdermal patch which provides continuous delivery of the dopamine agonist over 24 hours. The Japanese approval of rotigotine is supported by randomized, controlled clinical studies in Japanese patients which have demonstrated its efficacy and safety in the treatment of PD and RLS. 

"UCB has a long-standing partnership with Otsuka Pharmaceutical and the two companies have successfully co-marketed E-Keppra in the area of epilepsy since 2010. Otsuka Pharmaceutical' leadership and expertise in CNS will provide an excellent platform to introduce rotigotine to Japanese healthcare professionals," said Professor Dr Iris Loew-Friedrich, chief medical officer and executive vice president UCB. 

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disease which develops due to the loss of cells in the brain that produce a chemical called dopamine. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move to gain relief. Daytime symptoms of RLS are increasingly recognized. RLS can cause exhaustion and daytime fatigue, and may affect work and personal relationships.

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