 |
 |
Hello, All: Checking files, I found reference to a patch discussed in a news release: 06/18 0853 Discovery Therapeutics' Parkinson's Treatment ... VIENNA, AUSTRIA (June 18) BUSINESS WIRE -June 18, 1996--Discovery Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held pharmaceutical company located in Richmond, Va., today announced the presentation of the first human data for its N-0923 transdermal patch product for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. ---snip------------------------ "The N-0923 molecule itself is structurally different from available therapies. In addition to being optimized for transdermal delivery, it is a very specific non-ergot-based dopamine agonist that avoids side effects, such as dyskinesia (jerky movements) and the gastrointestinal distress associated with less specific and ergot-based compounds." The company has just completed a study of the efficacy of the N-0923 patch in Parkinson's Disease patients. Preliminary results are encouraging and the data will be submitted this summer for publication, probably to appear early next year. ---------snip----------------------- CONTACT: Discovery Therapeutics 804/358-9468 ----------------------------------- I called the company and was told that there has been an interview regarding the product, but they did not know where it will be shown. Apparently, they have successfully completed the first part of Phase II and now they are in the process of extending the amount of time that the patch is worn by patients from 30 hrs to 3 weeks. They are selecting clinical sites for this part of the trial; sites that have a large patient base. They expect to enter Phase III in 1997, seek FDA approval in 1998 and perhaps release the patch in 1999 or 2000. (What an odd feeling to write the year 2000!) Note to Will Johnston: I am planning to send a copy of the news release to Dr. Sage at Robert Wood Johnson, maybe they can be one of the sites?! >Subject: Re: The Patch > >At 01:08 AM 9/4/96 -0400, you wrote: >>TV news tonight had story of parkinson medication (sinemet?) >>experimentally administered through a patch, like nicotine. Seems like >>a great idea. Gets the medicine into the blood with no interaction >>with what's in the gut. Anyone try it or know anything about the >>study? I didn't get any name. >> >>Allan Netick >> >Allan, > As I get the story, the patch contains a "dopamine--like" substance which >may be something like Permax/Parlodel. The testimonial is from one of 9 >patients who wore the patch for 30 hours. Talked with Betsy Beasley (Mrs. >Bernie) in Richmond. A friend was one of the nine. No improvement in that >case. I doubt this will be any improvement but we shall see. Developer is > a neurologist at Virginia Commonwealth University. VCU has a strong faculty in neuropharmacology, but all seem to be working with pot and other less than legal drugs. The CNN web page has the dtory.. posted at 9:30 last night. >WILL JOHNSTON