September 2020
ABBV-951 for motor fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease
ABBV-951 is administered under the skin (subcutaneous infusion) to deliver therapeutic quantities of the drugs levodopa and carbidopa. Levodopa can be converted by the body into dopamine in order to supplement the low levels of dopamine in PD patients and improve motor symptoms. Carbidopa makes more levodopa available for transport into the brain. ABBV-951 eliminates the ‘wearing off’ effect by providing a continuous infusion of levodopa into the bloodstream so there is less fluctuation in dopamine levels and improved motor control. If licenced, ABBV-951 would provide an additional treatment option for PD patients who are levodopa responsive and who have inadequately controlled motor fluctuations.
July 2020
Xeomin for sialorrhea in children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years
Xeomin is one formulation of botulinum neurotoxin type A. It is injected into salivary glands and reduces saliva production. Currently, it is recommended as a specialist option for treating sialorrhea in children and adolescents, but is not yet licensed for this indication. It is an alternative to anticholinergic drugs which are also used to reduce saliva flow, but which can have side effects in a number of patients. If licensed, Xeomin will offer an additional treatment option for chronic sialorrhea in children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years.
July 2020
Levosimendan for respiratory function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Levosimendan works through binding to a protein called troponin C, which sensitises cardiac and skeletal muscles to calcium and increases their force of contraction. This increased force of contraction is thought to increase diaphragm function and support respiratory dysfunction. Levosimendan is given as an oral capsule and if licensed, it will offer a treatment option for patients with ALS, potentially delaying the need for mechanical ventilation support.
June 2020
Abilify MyCite (aripiprazole with sensor) for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Abilify MyCite is a drug-device combination comprising aripiprazole embedded with an Ingestible Event Marker (IEM) sensor. The aripiprazole attaches in the brain to receptors which help normalise the activity of the brain. The drug is packaged within an innovative system which helps patients (and healthcare workers) monitor when the medication is taken through integration with a sensor patch and app. Abilify MyCite is different to other ways of monitoring whether medication has been taken because it gives results of the actual medication taken, without need for blood or urine samples, as opposed to an estimate and if licensed, will offer an additional treatment option for patients with BP1 and SCH.
