Roche Media Release
Basel, November 13, 1997
Roche licenses in promising new compound for the treatment of
Parkinson's Disease
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd has concluded a license agreement with Kyowa
Hakko Kogy Co. Ltd. to jointly develop an Adenosine A2 Receptor
Antagonist, a compound that promises a novel approach to the treatment
of Parkinson's Disease. The two companies will jointly develop this new
compound that is about to enter Phase II of clinical development, with
Roche taking the lead outside of Japan. The two companies will also
explore the potential use of this compound discovered by Kyowa in other
indications, such as the treatment of depression.
In preclinical studies, the compound showed a significant reduction in
Parkinson's symptoms by blocking the Adenosine A2 Receptor on a protein
associated with the brain mechanism that controls motor function.
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects
approximately 1 in 100 people over the age of 65 years. Parkinson's
Disease arises from a progressive degeneration of cells in the brain
responsible for the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. This
causes various symptoms including uncontrollable tremor or shaking,
slowness of movements (bradykinesia), poor balance, stiffness and a
shuffling walk.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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