FDAnews Drug Daily Bulletin

Japanese drugmaker Eisai is ending the development of E2007 for Parkinson’s disease but continues studying the drug for neuropathic pain and epilepsy.

Last year, a late-stage clinical trial showed the drug was no more effective as an add-on therapy to levodopa than placebo in reducing the period when Parkinson’s symptoms return as the effect of levodopa wears off, the company said. A second, more recent study was not successful either.

Judee Shuler, director of corporate planning and communications for Eisai, said the company’s decision to terminate the Parkinson’s disease clinical program was based on efficacy results.