Safinamide

역사

Safinamide is an α-aminoamide derivative with a multimodal mechanism of action involving both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic properties. It increases levels of available dopamine through dopamine reuptake inhibition andMAO-B inhibition. It is a potent and reversible inhibitor of MAO-B, with significantly greater selectivity for MAO-B over MAO-A than selegiline and rasagiline. However, it also has an important and novel mode of action that involves blockade of Na+ channels andmodulation of Ca2+ channels that inhibits glutamate release and therefore may provide a level of cognitive improvement and neuroprotection. Homeostatic interactions between dopamine and glutamate are central to the normal physiology of the basal ganglia. In PD, this relationship is altered, resulting in upregulation of cortico-striatal glutamatergic function in l-dopa-induced dyskinesia. Any drug that can counteract such unbalance in glutamate function is potentially useful in controlling dyskinesias. Safinamide was originated by Farmitalia Carlo Erba, a company that was later purchased by Pharmacia. Newron Pharmaceuticals was established as a spin-off of Pharmacia in 1999 and acquired safinamide rights and intellectual property from Pharmacia Corporation. Newron originally granted Serono exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize safinamide in 2006. However, in October 2011, Merck Serono agreed to return full global rights for safinamide to Newron. Newron then finalized a strategic collaboration and license agreement with Zambon for the worldwide development and commercialization of safinamide.