Safinamide
N2 - {4 - [(3 -fluorobenzyl ) oxy] benzyl} -L- alaninamide (IUPAC)
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Safinamide is the international non-proprietary name for an experimental, not yet approved drug for the treatment of Parkinson 's disease. Chemically, it is an α - amino amide derivative.
Action principle
Safinamide is a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor (see monoamine oxidase inhibitors). The substance to act as dopamine and glutamate modulator. Safinamide to both the selective and reversible MAO - B inhibition, and allow the blockade of dopamine reuptake. Has been shown in clinical studies that the two key mechanisms for the control of dopamine concentration in the brain - can be influenced - glutamate and dopamine reuptake by inhibiting MAO - B activity. In addition to the reversible inhibition of MAO -B safinamide blocks the voltage-dependent sodium and Cacliumkanäle.
In the case of a marketing authorization safinamide to be used as adjunctive therapy to dopamine agonists and levodopa in Parkinson 's disease.
History of development
Safinamide was originally developed by the Italian pharmaceutical company Farmitalia Carlo Erba. 1993 Farm Italia was acquired by Pharmacia. Two years later, Upjohn and Pharmacia merged to Pharmacia & Upjohn. 1998 - the company was now called Pharmacia Corporation - was a worldwide restructuring program the company in which the company Newron Pharmaceuticals newly established received all rights to safinamide (then still referred to as PNU15774E ). Newron 2006 agreed with Merck KGaA that the exclusive worldwide rights go to develop, manufacture and commercialize safinamide at Merck. These exclusive rights related to Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer 's disease and other diseases. On October 21, 2011, Merck announced that the company will return the exclusive rights in April 2012 to Newron. The decision was based on the prioritization of projects and a - compared to previous estimates - lower market potential of safinamide.
Safinamide is currently in phase III clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
Further Reading
- Schapira AH: safinamide in the treatment of Parkinson 's disease. In: Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy Volume 11, Number 13, September 2010, pp. 2261-2268, ISSN 1744-7666. doi: 10.1517/14656566.2010.511612. PMID 20,707,760th (Review).
- M. Onofrj, L. Bonanni, A. Thomas: An expert opinion on safinamide in Parkinson 's disease. In: Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs Volume 17, Number 7, July 2008, pp. 1115-1125, ISSN 1744-7658. doi: 10.1517/13543784.17.7.1115. PMID 18,549,347th (Review).