The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved INBRIJA – an inhalable drug created by US biotech company Acorda Therapeutics – for intermittent treatment.
INBRIJA is designed to treat Parkinson’s symptoms that occur between oral doses of medication, which are known as ‘off’ episodes. The drug has been approved by the FDA and – after a clinical study involving 900 people with Parkinson’s – is expected to be available in 2019.
Todd Sherer, CEO of The Michael J Fox Foundation, who funded early trials of the powder, said: “Despite being on treatment, patients may experience OFF periods as Parkinson’s progresses, which can be disruptive.
“We knew we had to help address this unmet need, and this approval is a significant step forward for the community as it provides a new option to manage these gaps in symptom control.”