Standing with the Parkinson’s Community at Every Step Where Movement Turns into Hope

Could you introduce the Dem İlaç Parkinson team?

Building on its many years of experience in neurology, Dem İlaç has expanded its activities into the field of Parkinson’s disease.

Our Parkinson team has an experienced, dynamic and multidisciplinary structure with a strong command of the relevant processes. In line with our company’s experience in neurology and strategic vision, we introduced to Turkish medicine an original molecule that had long been awaited in Parkinson’s treatment. Through our expert team, we have also developed strong scientific collaborations with healthcare professionals.

As the Neurology Business Unit, we continue our promotional activities in the field of Parkinson’s disease in close coordination with our other departments.

Could you explain the added value and therapeutic role of the molecule recently introduced to the market by Dem İlaç for Parkinson’s treatment?

Our product contains safinamide, a molecule used in Parkinson’s treatment that is approved in 26 countries worldwide and has no generic equivalent. It had long been awaited as a treatment option in Türkiye.

Safinamide, classified among third-generation MAO-B inhibitors (MAO-B inhibitor-plus), offers a distinctive mechanism in Parkinson’s treatment. In addition to its conventional MAO-B inhibitory effect, it modulates glutamate release. This helps reduce “off” periods, supports the effect of dopamine and provides a meaningful improvement in quality of life, particularly for patients experiencing motor fluctuations.

Introducing this molecule to Türkiye provides more than a new treatment alternative. It also represents an innovative approach aligned with current scientific evidence, creating significant clinical and economic value for our country.

Introducing this molecule to Türkiye provides more than a new treatment alternative. It also represents an innovative approach aligned with current scientific evidence, creating significant clinical and economic value for our country.

What were the highlights of the satellite symposium held during the 16th National Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Congress?

The satellite symposium supported by Dem İlaç as part of the 16th National Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Congress attracted strong interest thanks to the valuable contributions of participating physicians.

The symposium was moderated by Prof. Dr. Murat Emre, who has an outstanding career in the field of movement disorders both in Türkiye and internationally.

Among the speakers, Prof. Dr. Raif Çakmur delivered a presentation entitled “The Role of MAO-B Inhibitors in Parkinson’s Treatment,” explaining in detail the role of this drug class in managing motor symptoms and its place in clinical decision-making. Prof. Dr. Murat Gültekin then presented “Safinamide: Pharmacology and Clinical Experience,” discussing safinamide’s different mechanisms of action and their implications for clinical practice.

Both presentations stood out for their scientific depth and practical relevance. Participants particularly focused on the innovative approach safinamide offers in managing motor fluctuations through its dual mechanism of action: MAO-B inhibition and glutamate modulation.

Throughout the symposium, we were delighted by the positive feedback from physicians attending from across Türkiye and by their strong interest in both the molecule and Dem İlaç, which introduced safinamide to Turkish medicine.

What is Dem İlaç’s message for World Parkinson’s Day 2025?

This World Parkinson’s Day, we emphasize the value of every step taken to improve the quality of life of patients and their families: “Every movement is a source of hope; every step is a transformation.”

We believe that providing treatment alone is not enough to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease. Awareness, education and sustainable support approaches are just as important as treatment.

Our goal for 2025 is to rapidly translate scientific developments into clinical practice, serve as a strong solution partner for physicians and make the voice of the Parkinson’s community more visible.

At Dem İlaç, we will continue to stand with the Parkinson’s community at every step where movement turns into hope, through our innovative treatments and social awareness initiatives.

Interviewee: Mehmet Ali Işık, Business Unit Manager, Dem İlaç