New Parkinson’s drug approved in US—but no clarity on when it might reach UK

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The US FDA has approved tavapadon, marketed as Juvmo, for Parkinson’s disease after phase 3 trial results suggested fewer serious side effects than some existing dopamine agonists. UK availability remains uncertain, and Parkinson’s UK has welcomed the approval while hoping for further regulatory approvals in Europe and the UK.

A new drug for Parkinson’s disease that seem to cause fewer serious side effects than some existing treatments has been approved in the US following phase 3 trial results.1Called Juvmo (tavapadon), the drug is a dopamine agonist. Previous versions of this class of medicine have been associated with concerning behavioural side effects, including impulsive decision making, shopping, and gambling.2But clinical trials indicate that tavapadon is less likely to trigger such behaviours as well as other major side effects including hallucinations and blood pressure changes, said Claire Bale, associate director of research at Parkinson’s UK.She described the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) approval of tavapadon as “an encouraging milestone.”“Tavapadon targets slightly different types of dopamine receptors to the dopamine agonists currently on the market,” she said, adding that she hoped approvals in Europe and the UK would follow “as soon as possible.”The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, however,...