On last Friday

On last Friday, the FDA approved Acorda Therapeutics'inhaled levodopa (INBRIJA) for the so-called off-period treatment of Parkinson's disease. In Phase III clinical trials, the UPDRS index decreased by about 4 points (9.83 vs. 5.91) in Parkinson's patients during closure compared with placebo. Acorda has yet to announce the price, but estimates the market capacity of the product could reach $800 million. INBRIJA will enter the market early next year.

The product was acquired by Acorda from CVT-301, which was acquired in 2014 for $525 million. Levodopa is the pillar therapy for Parkinson's disease. There are about 1 million patients with Parkinson's disease in the United States, 700,000 of whom use levodopa. But patients with long-term use will gradually appear 1-3 hours a day so-called closure period, that is, levodopa ineffective. There are several kinds of transitional therapies, but each has its own side effects. INBRIJA is administered through the lungs. It is said that the peak speed of blood drug is faster. It is suitable for this kind of transitional therapy which only needs short-term administration but needs quick effect. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals also has a sublingual levodopa preparation APL-130277 coming on the market next year, and several manufacturers are developing new levodopa pumps, so the market is still crowded.