Tavapadon, a novel and highly selective partial agonist of dopamine D1 and D5 receptors, significantly improved motor function without increasing impulse control disorders in patients with early Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to the results of phase 3 studies TEMPO-1 and TEMPO-2.
An earlier phase 3 trial (TEMPO-3) also showed tavapadon to be a promising adjunct to levodopa in patients with PD experiencing motor fluctuations.
This drug appears to be better than the current D2, D3 agonists, according to study investigator Rajesh Pahwa, MD, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center, University of Kansas US.
The findings were presented at the American Academy of Neurology 2025 annual meeting.
None of the currently approved PD therapies, such as levodopa and dopamine agonists (DAs), provide sustained relief from motor symptoms without a significant risk of adverse events (AEs).
DAs, particularly levodopa, may initially offer strong motor control, but efficacy often reduces as the disease progresses, with some patients experiencing unpredictable motor fluctuations. AEs associated with both levodopa and DAs include excessive daytime sleepiness and impulse control disorders.
Tavapadon appears to meet the need for a more effective dopamine agonist with fewer side effects than currently available options, suggests Rajesh Pahwa. However, he noted that the drug has not yet been directly compared with existing D2 and D3 agonists in head-to-head studies.
AbbVie plans to submit a New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration this year.
