Azilect, a once-daily treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD) both as monotherapy in patients with early PD and as an adjunct treatment in moderate to advanced disease, is now available in the United Kingdom, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and H. Lundbeck A/S have announced here.

This represents the first launch of Azilect in a member nation of the European Union following the issuance of a Marketing Authorisation by the European Commission earlier this year. The Marketing Authorisation is valid throughout the European Union and additional launches are planned for the remainder of this year and for 2006. The next launch is expected to take place in Germany within a few weeks time.

Azilect is a novel, potent, second-generation selective irreversible monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitor that blocks the breakdown of dopamine, a substance in the brain needed to facilitate movement.

In the three major European markets, the United Kingdom, Germany and France Teva and Lundbeck will co-promote Azilect.