Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a company engaged in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of innovative, creative products, announced that the company in December 2011 has submitted a manufacturing and marketing approval application for the dopamine agonist transdermal patch, Rotigotine Patch which has been developed as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Rotigotine Patch is the world’s only dopamine agonist in once-daily transdermal patch formulation. Providing a continuous release of the drug substance, Rotigotine Patch can maintain a clinically effective blood drug concentration for 24 hours to achieve stable effects. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome occur throughout the course of a day. Rotigotine Patch was developed to alleviate the symptoms that can occur during the day or night and to provide patients with a more convenient form of drug treatment.

Neupro (brand name; nonproprietary name is rotigotine) is being marketed by the global biopharmaceutical company UCB as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease or restless legs syndrome  in many countries throughout the world. Otsuka Pharmaceutical acquired the exclusive rights for developing and marketing Rotigotine Patch in Japan in 2002.