A new infusion device has been approved by the US FDA to provide continuous relief for Parkinson’s disease, making management of the condition easier and more effective for Americans. This innovative treatment, known as Onapgo, will be available by the end of 2025.
Onapgo is a subcutaneous device that delivers dopamine agonist apomorphine hydrochloride continuously to reduce ‘off’ episodes experienced by Parkinson’s patients. In clinical trials, Onapgo significantly reduced daily off episodes by 2.47 hours compared to the placebo treatment.
Kelly Papesh, from the Association of Movement Disorder Advanced Practice Providers, expressed that the approval of Onapgo is a significant advancement in Parkinson’s disease management, offering individualized and effective care for patients. Developed by Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Onapgo eliminates the need for constant injections and provides patients with more control over their treatment.
Dr. Stuart Isaacson, a clinical trial investigator for Onapgo, highlighted the benefits of continuous infusion of apomorphine in bypassing the GI tract and providing more predictable symptom improvement. The approval of Onapgo will also come with an education program for healthcare professionals.
With over 10 million people worldwide, including a million in the US, living with Parkinson’s disease, treatments like Onapgo offer hope for better symptom management and improved quality of life. The recent approval of Onapgo in the US provides patients with a non-invasive option for continuous infusion therapy.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, the company behind Onapgo, has dedicated years to developing this innovative treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Other recent advancements, like AbbVie’s pump-based system for carbidopa and levodopa delivery, also contribute to improving treatment options for patients.
Source: Supernus Pharmaceuticals
