FDA approves AbbVie's tavapadon for Parkinson's disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved tavapadon, a new medication from AbbVie for the treatment of adults with Parkinson's disease. To be marketed in the United States under the name Juvmo, the drug is an oral, once-daily selective dopamine D1 and D5 receptor agonist.

Clinical studies from the TEMPO program indicated that in patients experiencing motor fluctuations during levodopa treatment, tavapadon increased the daily period of good mobility without bothersome dyskinesia by 1.1 hours compared to a placebo. It also reduced daily “off” time. In early-stage patients, the drug showed improved motor symptoms compared to a placebo.

Medical experts note that while this represents a significant pharmacological innovation—marking the first dopaminergic advancement for Parkinson's in decades—it is not a cure and is not intended to replace levodopa, which remains the most effective symptomatic treatment. Reported side effects include nausea, dizziness, and dyskinesia. AbbVie expects to make Juvmo available in the U.S. by October 2026. There is currently no scheduled availability for the medication in Brazil.