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Ongentys
Published
Product name
Ongentys
Active ingredient
Opicapone
Submission type
New chemical entity
Decision
Approved
Decision date
Registration date
What this medicine was approved for
Ongentys (opicapone) was approved for the following therapeutic use:
Ongentys is indicated as adjunctive therapy to preparations of levodopa/DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors (DDCI) in adult patients with Parkinson's disease and end-of-dose motor fluctuations who cannot be stabilised on those combinations.
How this medicine works
Opicapone is a peripheral, selective and reversible catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor endowed with a high binding affinity (sub-picomolar) that translates into a slow complex dissociation rate constant and a long duration of action (> 24 hours) in vivo.In the presence of a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor (DDCI), COMT becomes the major metabolising enzyme for levodopa, catalysing its conversion to 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) in the brain and periphery. In patients taking levodopa and a peripheral DDCI, such as carbidopa or benserazide, opicapone increases levodopa plasma levels thereby improving the clinical response to levodopa.
Why the TGA approved or did not approve this medicine
The decision was based on quality (chemistry and manufacturing), nonclinical (pharmacology and toxicology), clinical (pharmacology, safety and efficacy) and risk management plan information submitted by the sponsor. The benefit-risk profile of Ongentys was considered favourable for the therapeutic use approved.
Sponsor