Valeo Pharma Inc. announced that Onstryv (safinamide) for the treatment of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, is now listed for public reimbursement on the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan of the Quebec Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec ("RAMQ"), effective February 1, 2023. Onstryv® is approved by Health Canada as an add-on therapy to a regimen that includes levodopa for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's Disease in patients experiencing "off" episodes. Onstryvâ is a prescription medication available at pharmacies across Canada in 50mg and 100mg tablets.

Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurological disease involving the loss of dopamine producing neurons in the brain. While tremors are the best known symptom, Parkinson's Disease also causes other symptoms including slowed movement, rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, speech and writing difficulties. On a per capita basis, Canada has amongst the higher incidences of Parkinson's Disease in the world and the number of patients is expected to grow significantly over the next thirty years as the median population age increases.

Safinamide, known as Onstryv® in Canada and Xadago® in the rest of the world, is a chemical entity with a unique mode of action including selective and reversible MAO-B inhibition. Clinical trials have established its efficacy in controlling motor symptoms and motor complications in the short term, maintaining this effect over 2 years. Results from 24 month double-blind controlled studies suggest that safinamide shows statistically significant effects on motor fluctuations (ON/OFF time) without increasing the risk of developing troublesome dyskinesia.

Onstryv® is a once-daily dose and has no diet restrictions due to its high MAO-B/MAO-A selectivity.