15ec4fb3-e654-46f3-bcbf-76fd62890b43.pdf ZAMBON LAUNCHES XADAGO® (SAFINAMIDE) IN DENMARK AND SWEDEN FOR PATIENTS WITH MID-TO LATE STAGE PARKINSON'S DISEASE
  • Zambon today announces the launch in Denmark and Sweden of Xadago® (safinamide) as an add-on to levodopa alone or in combination with other Parkinson's disease (PD) medications, in mid-to late stage PD

  • Safinamide is a new chemical entity with a unique Mechanism of Action

Milan, Italy - April 28, 2016 - Zambon S.p.A., an international pharmaceutical company strongly committed to the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutic area, and its partner Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. ("Newron") (SIX: NWRN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) and pain, today announced the launch of Xadago® (safinamide) in Denmark and Sweden for the treatment of mid- to late stage Parkinson's disease (PD).

Safinamide is a new chemical entity with a unique mechanism of action (MoA), dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic, providing a balanced control of motor symptoms and motor complications. It is now available in Denmark and Sweden as an add-on therapy to a stable dose of levodopa (L-dopa) alone or in combination with other PD therapies for mid-to late- stage fluctuating patients.

Associate Prof. M.D. Helle Thagensen from the Neurological Department, Roskilde University Hospital (Denmark), commented: "Safinamide is a safe and effective first adjunct therapy in levodopa-treated patients, improving both major symptoms of PD and providing benefits to mild and non-mild fluctuating patients who are receiving other concomitant dopaminergic therapies."

Maurizio Castorina, CEO of Zambon S.p.A. said: "We are pleased that Xadago® is now available in Denmark and Sweden. This is another significant milestone for PD patients across the world now able to benefit from this novel therapy."

With the addition of Denmark and Sweden, Xadago® is now available in seven countries including Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy and Belgium.

About Xadago® (safinamide)

Safinamide is a new chemical entity with a unique mode of action including selective and reversible MAO-B-inhibition and blocking of voltage dependent sodium channels which leads to modulation of abnormal glutamate release. Clinical trials have established its efficacy in controlling motor symptoms and motor complications in the short term, maintaining this effect over 2 years. Results from 24 month double-blind controlled studies suggest that safinamide shows statistically significant effects on motor fluctuations (ON/OFF time) without increasing the risk of developing troublesome dyskinesia. This effect may be related to its dual mechanism acting on both the dopaminergic and the glutamatergic pathways. Safinamide is a once-daily dose and has no diet restrictions due to its high MAO-B/MAO-A selectivity. Zambon has the rights to develop and commercialize Xadago® globally, excluding Japan and other key territories where Meiji Seika has the rights to develop and commercialize the compound. The rights to develop and commercialize Xadago® in the USA have been granted to US WorldMeds, by Zambon.

References:

Two-year, randomized, controlled study of safinamide as add-on to levodopa in mid to late Parkinson's disease. Borgohain, Rupam; Szasz, Jozsef; Stanzione, Paolo; Meshram, Chandrashekhar; Bhatt, Mohit H et al. (2014) Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society vol. 29 (10) p. 1273-80.

Anand R: Safinamide is associated with clinically important improvement in motor symptoms in fluctuating PD patients as add-on to levodopa (SETTLE). 17th International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Sydney, Australia, June 16-20, 2013.

About Parkinson's disease

PD is the second most common chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly after Alzheimer's disease, affecting 1-2% of individuals aged ≥ 65 years worldwide. The prevalence of the PD market is expected to grow in the next years due to the increase in the global population and advancements in healthcare that contribute to an aging population at increased risk for PD. The diagnosis of PD is mainly based on observational criteria of muscular rigidity, resting tremor, or postural instability in combination with bradykinesia. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more severe. Early- stage patients are more easily managed on L-dopa. L-dopa remains as the most effective treatment for PD, and over 75% of the patients with PD receive L-dopa. However, long term treatment with L-dopa leads to seriously debilitating motor fluctuations, i.e. phases of normal functioning (ON-time) and decreased functioning (OFF-time). Furthermore, as a result of the use of high doses of L-dopa with increasing severity of the disease, many patients experience involuntary movements known as L-dopa-Induced Dyskinesia (LID). As the disease progresses, more drugs are used as an add-on to what the patient already takes, and the focus is to treat symptoms while managing LID and the "off-time" effects of L-dopa. Most current therapies target the dopaminergic system that is implicated in the pathogenesis of PD, and most current treatments act by increasing dopaminergic transmission that leads to amelioration of motor symptoms.

References:

BMC Oertel. European Handbook of Neurological Management, Vol1, Chapter 14 & 15, 2011. NICE PD guideline, 2006.

About Zambon Zambon is a leading Italian pharmaceutical and fine-chemical multinational company that has earned a strong reputation over the years for high quality products and services. Zambon is well-established in 3 therapeutic areas: respiratory, pain and woman care, and is very strongly committed to its entry into the CNS space. Zambon SpA produces high quality products thanks to the management of the whole production chain which involves Zach (Zambon chemical), a privileged partner for API, custom synthesis and generic products. The Group is strongly working on the treatment of the chronic respiratory diseases as asthma and BPCO and on the CNS therapeutic area with Xadago® (safinamide) for the Parkinson treatment. Zambon is headquartered in Milan and was established in 1906 in Vicenza. Zambon is present in 19 countries with subsidiaries and almost 2,700 employees with manufacturing units in Italy, Switzerland, France, China and Brazil. Zambon products are commercialized in 84 countries.

For details on Zambon please see: www.zambongroup.com

About Newron Pharmaceuticals

Newron (SIX: NWRN) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for patients with diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) and pain. The Company is headquartered in Bresso near Milan, Italy. In addition to Xadago® for Parkinson's disease, Newron has a strong pipeline of promising treatments for rare disease patients at various stages of clinical development. For more information, please visit: www.newron.com

Further Information

Media

Investors and Analysts

Zambon

Luca Primavera - CCO Phone: +39 02 66524491

Mobile: +39 335 7247417

Email: luca.primavera@zambongroup.com

Italy

Milva Naguib

Phone: +39 02 66524095

Mobile: +39 3459215675

Email: milva.naguib@zambongroup.com

Denmark/Sweden Håkan Froderberg Phone:+46 70 6653132

Email: hakan.froderberg@zambongroup.com

Newron

Stefan Weber - CEO Phone: +39 02 6103 46 30

E-mail: ir@newron.com

UK/Europe Julia Phillips FTI Consulting

Phone: +44 (0)20 3727 1000

Switzerland

Martin Meier-Pfister IRF Communications

Phone: +41 43 244 81 40

Germany

Anne Hennecke MC Services AG

Phone: +49 211 52925222

anne.hennecke@mc-services.eu

U.S.

Alison Chen LaVoieHealthScience

Phone: +1 617 374 8800, Ext. 104

achen@lavoiehealthscience.com

Newron

Stefan Weber - CEO Phone: +39 02 6103 46 30

E-mail: ir@newron.com

Germany

Anne Hennecke MC Services AG

Phone: +49 211 52925222

anne.hennecke@mc-services.eu

U.S.

Beth Kurth LaVoieHealthScience

Phone: +1 617 374 8800, Ext. 109

bkurth@lavoiehealthscience.com

Important Notices

This document contains forward-looking statements, including (without limitation) about (1) Newron's ability to develop and expand its business, successfully complete development of its current product candidates and current and future collaborations for the development and commercialisation of its product candidates and reduce costs (including staff costs),

(2) the market for drugs to treat CNS diseases and pain conditions, (3) Newron's anticipated future revenues, capital expenditures and financial resources, and (4) assumptions underlying any such statements. In some cases these statements and assumptions can be identified by the fact that they use words such as "will", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "intend", "plan", "believe", "target", and other words and terms of similar meaning. All statements, other than historical facts, contained herein regarding Newron's strategy, goals, plans, future financial position, projected revenues and costs and prospects are forward-looking statements.

By their very nature, such statements and assumptions involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that predictions, forecasts, projections and other outcomes described, assumed or implied therein will not be achieved. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set out in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors. These factors include (without limitation) (1) uncertainties in the discovery, development or marketing of products, including without limitation negative results of clinical trials or research projects or unexpected side effects, (2) delay or inability in obtaining regulatory approvals or bringing products to market, (3) future market acceptance of products, (4) loss of or inability to obtain adequate protection for intellectual property rights, (5) inability to raise additional funds, (6) success of existing and entry into future collaborations and licensing agreements, (7) litigation, (8) loss of key executive or other employees, (9) adverse publicity and news coverage, and (10) competition, regulatory, legislative and judicial developments or changes in market and/or overall economic conditions.

Newron may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in forward-looking statements and assumptions underlying any such statements may prove wrong. Investors should therefore not place undue reliance on them. There can be no assurance that actual results of Newron's research programmes, development activities, commercialisation plans, collaborations and operations will not differ materially from the expectations set out in such forward-looking statements or underlying assumptions.

Newron does not undertake any obligation to publicly up-date or revise forward looking statements except as may be required by applicable regulations of the SIX Swiss Exchange where the shares of Newron are listed.

This document does not contain or constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities of Newron and no part of it shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever.

Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. issued this content on 28 April 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 28 April 2016 07:42:07 UTC

Original Document: http://www.newron.it/user/download_charm.aspx?FILE=B21317DB-487E-411A-8AEA-3BBB6EB5495A