Teva Pharmaceutical's Azilect (rasagiline) has been issued a marketing authorization by the Israeli Ministry Of Health for the treatment of Parkinson's disease both as initial monotherapy in patients with early PD and as adjunct treatment in moderate-to-advanced disease. Following the receipt of this license, Azilect will be launched in Israel in March 2005, the company informed here.

"We are extremely pleased to have received the first approval for the marketing of Azilect here in Israel where the product originated and was developed. With additional approvals anticipated in other countries during 2005, Azilect should become an important treatment option for patients suffering from Parkinson's disease," said Israel Makov, president and CEO of Teva.

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.

The development of rasagiline is part of a long-term alliance for co-development in Parkinson's disease and European marketing between Lundbeck and Teva.

Azilect is a joint development of Teva and the Technion - Israel institute of Technology.