BRIEF—Positive data for Parkinson's candidate

Neurocrine Biosciences has been buoyed by  positive data from two Phase III studies of its Parkinson's disease candidate opicapone, presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).

Added to standard of care levodopa, the data show treatment with opicapone resulted in a significant and sustained increase in ON time, when symptoms are controlled effectively.

Chief medical officer Eiry Roberts said: "Based on the Phase III data analysis, we believe once-daily opicapone has the potential to prolong the clinical effects of levodopa and help patients achieve symptom control so they can better cope with this debilitating disease."

Neurocrine has in-licensed opicapone from BIAL and has exclusive development and commercialization rights in the USA and Canada.