Neurocrine Biosciences Reveals Promising Long-Term Efficacy of INGREZZA for Huntington's Disease

Promising Long-Term Efficacy of INGREZZA in Huntington's Disease

Neurocrine Biosciences, a leading biotechnology firm, has recently presented significant findings from its open-label KINECT®-HD2 study, which examined the long-term effects of INGREZZA® (valbenazine) capsules for patients with Huntington's Disease (HD) experiencing chorea. This groundbreaking research was unveiled during the 2025 MDS International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders held in Honolulu.

Huntington's Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, leads to severe motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. Among these, chorea—characterized by irregular and unpredictable movements—is one of the most debilitating manifestations, adversely affecting patients' daily functioning.

Key Findings: Sustained Improvements and Safety Profile

The KINECT-HD2 study involved 154 adult participants who received once-daily dosing of INGREZZA over three years. It demonstrated not only the treatment's safety and tolerability but also its effectiveness in reducing chorea severity. The results showed that the improvements in chorea were both early and sustained, providing relief to participants.

Dr. Sanjay Keswani, Chief Medical Officer at Neurocrine, emphasized the study's implications: "Most individuals suffering from Huntington's Disease contend with chorea, which disrupts normal motor coordination, thereby challenging basic activities like walking, speaking, or even swallowing. Our findings illustrate that INGREZZA can manage these debilitating symptoms effectively over a prolonged period."

Data revealed that patients exhibited marked improvement in chorea severity as early as Week 2, with a reduction in the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Maximal Chorea (TMC) score. The most notable enhancements were sustained throughout the 156-week evaluation period, indicating INGREZZA's long-term viability as a therapeutic option.

Interestingly, the study also demonstrated that the continued use of antipsychotic medications, often prescribed for managing patients' psychiatric symptoms, did not hinder the efficacy of INGREZZA in chorea improvement.

Tolerability and Side Effects

The long-term treatment of INGREZZA was overall well tolerated, with the majority of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) being consistent with the known safety profile of the medication as well as symptoms typically associated with Huntington's Disease. Approximately 97.4% of patients reported at least one TEAE, with common issues such as fatigue, somnolence, and falls.

Serious TEAEs were relatively rare, occurring in less than 2% of participants, indicating that INGREZZA is a safe option for managing chorea over an extended duration.

The Future of Huntington's Disease Management

As Neurocrine continues to explore INGREZZA's capabilities, the company also addressed related topics during the congress, including its effects on managing tardive dyskinesia and the broader impacts of valbenazine. The findings from KINECT-HD2 offer a combination of hope and practical solutions for patients affected by Huntington's Disease, a condition affecting approximately 41,000 adults in the U.S. alone.

In conclusion, with the promising long-term data presented, it seems that INGREZZA could significantly enhance the quality of life for Huntington's Disease patients grappling with chorea. The biopharmaceutical company Neurocrine Biosciences remains committed to further research and innovation to battle neurological disorders, continuing to break new ground in treatments that positively affect patients' experiences.

For additional information regarding the KINECT-HD2 study and other advancements in HD management, patients and caregivers are encouraged to visit platforms dedicated to Huntington's Disease research or consult medical professionals specializing in this field.