Latest news and clinical research progress summary of Opicapone

Opicapone (trade name: Ongentys®) is a peripherally selective COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) inhibitor, mainly used to extend the half-life of levodopa, thereby reducing the "OFF" time (that is, the time when symptoms are poorly controlled). Compared with similar drugs, Opicapone has a longer duration of action and is usually taken once a day to facilitate patient management.

Multiple clinical studies have shown that Opicapone has a significant effect in reducing "OFF" time. For example, in the BIPARK-1 and BIPARK-2 studies, opicapone 50 mg once-daily treatment group had a significant reduction in "OFF" time and did not increase the incidence of motor complications compared with the placebo group. In addition, the OPTIPARK study also confirmed its effectiveness and tolerability in clinical practice.

In 2024, research results released at the European Union Neurology Congress (EAN) showed that Opicapone is equally effective in actual clinical practice. After three months of treatment, most patients' "OFF" symptoms (including motor and non-motor symptoms) improved. In addition, a study published in 2024 pointed out that as an adjuvant treatment, Opicapone not only improved motor symptoms, but also did not cause new motor complications, supporting its clinical application in patients without motor complications.

Currently, Opicapone has been recommended as the preferred COMT inhibitor for the treatment of the "OFF" phenomenon in patients with Parkinson's disease. Future research will further explore its application in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease and its effect in combination with other drugs, with a view to providing patients with more comprehensive treatment options.

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