AbbVie gets approval for Parkinson's treatment

AbbVie Inc. has won approval for a new treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease.

The North Chicago drugmaker said its drug treatment, Duopa, helps Parkinson’s patient maintain motor control. The company announced Monday the treatment has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The drug treatment was approved three months ahead of the scheduled review date, Reuters reported. Duopa, which is already available in Canada, is delivered by infusion pump directly to the small intestine.

“There is unmet need for treatment options for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. As the disease advances, it can be difficult to control motor features,” said Dr. C. Warren Olanow, a professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and lead investigator of the drug trial. “In clinical trials, Duopa was shown to significantly reduce the amount of off time advanced Parkinson’s disease patients experienced.”

Michael Severino, AbbVie executive vice president and chief scientific officer, said the drug’s approval “is another significant milestone for AbbVie’s pipeline.”

“This advancement is important for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease and their care teams, as it provides a new therapeutic option to help manage motor symptoms,” Severino said in a news release.