Aton Pharma acquires the U.S. marketing rights to LODOSYN tablets from BMS

Aton Pharma, Inc., a diversified specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has acquired the U.S. marketing rights to LODOSYN® (carbidopa) tablets from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS). LODOSYN is indicated for use with carbidopa-levodopa or with levodopa in the treatment of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, to permit the administration of lower doses of levodopa with reduced nausea and vomiting, more rapid dosage titration, and with a somewhat smoother medication response.

"Levodopa itself is currently the most effective drug for relieving Parkinson's disease symptoms," explained George Plotkin, M.D., Ph.D., of the Movement Disorder Center in Tyler, TX, which treats more than 2,000 Parkinson's patients per year. "LODOSYN plays a key role in my Parkinson's patients for whom the dosage of levodopa is less than adequate. LODOSYN permits control of Parkinson's symptoms with much lower doses of levodopa and a resulting reduction in side effects."

"The acquisition of LODOSYN continues our mission to improve patient outcomes and quality of life by providing medically essential therapeutics, while enabling us to enter an important market," commented Michael G. Wells, Chief Executive Officer of Aton Pharma. "Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson's."

Parkinson's disease, a chronic, neurological illness that hampers movement and coordination, involves the destruction or impairment of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, sending information to other parts of the brain to produce smooth movements. Levodopa and carbidopa are a combination of drugs that together, help to prevent Parkinson's symptoms. The drug combination works as a dopamine regulator, by increasing dopamine and assuring it stays within the brain. Carbidopa is given with levodopa to prevent it from being converted into dopamine outside the brain, helping prevent the side-effects of nausea and vomiting that occur when too much dopamine is outside of the brain. In addition, carbidopa decreases the amount of levodopa needed. Together, the two drugs provide an increase in dopamine in the brain, which is thought to be the mechanism whereby levodopa relieves symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

LODOSYN is supplied by a 25 mg tablet in a bottle of 100 tablets. Aton Pharma, Inc. will now assume exclusive responsibility for its U.S. sales and distribution.