Promising Developments: Anavex 2-73 Shows Long-term Efficacy in Parkinson’s Disease Management
Anavex Life Sciences hasannounced promising results from an extension study of their investigational
therapy, Anavex 2-73 (blarcamesine), for treating Parkinson’s disease dementia.
The extension study, a continuation of the Phase 2 ANAVEX 2-73-PDD-001 trial,
demonstrated significant reductions in symptom severity and improved overall
patient health over a one-year period.
The Phase 2 trial initially involved 132 adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease dementia.
After a treatment duration of approximately 3.5 months, participants reported
notable improvements in both cognitive skills and motor functions. However, a
drug holiday ensued between the conclusion of the Phase 2 trial and the
commencement of the extension study, during which symptoms worsened. This
period highlighted the necessity for continuous treatment with Anavex 2-73 to
maintain its beneficial effects.
During the 48-week open-label extension study, 20 participants who chose to continue treatment
with Anavex 2-73 exhibited significant improvements in their Movement Disorder
Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) scores. These
improvements were observed across both motor and non-motor symptoms, suggesting
the drug’s potential to mitigate the progression of Parkinson’s disease dementia.
Remarkably, Anavex 2-73 was well tolerated throughout the study, with a safety profile consistent
with earlier observations. This favorable outcome sets the stage for a
forthcoming Phase 3 trial, where Anavex Life Sciences aims to further validate the efficacy of Anavex 2-73. The Phase 3 trial will focus on evaluating
the impact of the therapy on MDS-UPDRS scores over six months.
Christopher Missling, PhD, president and CEO of Anavex
Life Sciences, emphasized the critical need for innovative treatments in neurodegenerative
diseases. He noted that the observed reductions in symptom severity underscore
the potential of Anavex 2-73 to address the unmet needs of Parkinson’s patients.
As Anavex Life Sciences prepares for the Phase 3 trial, the continued success of Anavex 2-73
offers hope for patients and caregivers grappling with the challenges of
Parkinson’s disease dementia.
Read this article for more information.
More about Anavex on https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/AVXL:US
