Safinamide

Safinamide is a candidate drug against Parkinson's disease with multiple methods of action. In 2007, a Phase III clinical trial was started. It is scheduled to run until 2011. The drug will be marketed by Merck-Serono.

Possible additional uses are restless legs syndrome (RLS) and epilepsy. , they are in Phase II.

Parkinson and RLS relevant mechanisms
Safinamide is a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, reducing degradation of dopamine.

It is a glutamate release inhibitor.

It seems to inhibit dopamine reuptake.

Other mechanisms
Furthermore, safinamide blocks sodium and calcium channels.