Top-line Ph II data for Neurogen's aplindore good

Connecticut, USA-based Neurogen has announced positive top-line results from two Phase II clinical trials in restless legs syndrome and Parkinson's disease with the company's dopamine partial agonist, aplindore. These studies were the first in which aplindore has been evaluated in RLS and PD, the firm noted.

In each study, the drug demonstrated highly significant efficacy and was well tolerated. Neurogen believes aplindore's dopamine partial agonist controlled-release profile may be better tolerated, with fewer side effects and greater dosing flexibility, than existing drugs to treat RLS and PD. Side effects of RLS drugs currently on the market or in late-stage development include daytime somnolence, dizziness and nausea. These products require titration, or slow escalation of doses, over several days or weeks to achieve an effective level. Side effects of drugs currently available for the treatment of PD include nausea, somnolence, hallucinations and dyskinesias, or involuntary movements, and also require titration to reach therapeutic doses, the US company adds.