Merz Therapeutics Launches 'Celebrating the Fighters' Campaign, Channeling Muhammad Ali’s Resilience to Empower the Parkinson’s Disease Community

Inspired by Muhammad’s words, the campaign honors the community’s relentless spirit through powerful stories and provides tools and resources to help “fight” daily challenges

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merz Therapeutics North America today announced the launch of 'Celebrating the Fighters,' a nationwide campaign that honors the fighting spirit of people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) and embodies Muhammad Ali, the legendary heavyweight boxing champion who was also diagnosed with this disease. Inspired by Muhammad’s iconic quotes and spirit, the campaign builds on the 2023 ‘For the Fighters’ initiative, celebrating resilience through storytelling.

In the U.S., PD affects nearly one million people,¹ presenting daily challenges, including tremors, stiffness and an unpredictable return of Parkinson’s symptoms, also known as OFF episodes. Despite these obstacles, people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners continue to demonstrate extraordinary strength and determination. This campaign honors the courage and relentless drive of those who rise and fight every day, drawing on Muhammad’s spirit, his resilience and his commitment to helping others find hope.

“Parkinson’s disease and its symptoms can be unpredictable, yet I’ve been inspired by the many people in the Parkinson’s community who continue to live full, meaningful lives while navigating those challenges,” said Len Paolillo, President, Merz Therapeutics North America. “At Merz Therapeutics, we support the fighter’s spirit by helping patients address OFF episodes with INBRIJA^® (levodopa inhalation powder), the only inhaled levodopa that helps them fight back against returning Parkinson's symptoms.”

Using powerful imagery and Muhammad’s famous quotes, such as “You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down,” the campaign features a robust mix of initiatives including a national CTV ad, an updated website, social media and advocacy resources.

About OFF Episodes and Treatment

OFF episodes, or periods when Parkinson’s symptoms return despite regular medication, can be disruptive and vary widely in timing and severity. Many patients are treated with baseline carbidopa/levodopa medication, but symptoms can still return and lead to movement issues.

INBRIJA^® is an inhaled prescription levodopa medicine used to treat the return of Parkinson’s symptoms (known as OFF episodes) in people with PD who are treated with carbidopa/levodopa medicines. It does not replace regular carbidopa/levodopa medicines. For more information, visit www.inbrija.com.

To learn more about 'Celebrating the Fighters', access resources and hear stories from the Parkinson’s community, visit www.inbrija.com and follow Merz Therapeutics on social media.

Important Safety Information

What is INBRIJA^®?

INBRIJA is an inhaled levodopa prescription medicine used to treat the return of Parkinson’s symptoms (known as OFF episodes) in people with Parkinson’s disease who are treated with carbidopa/levodopa medicines. INBRIJA does not replace regular carbidopa/levodopa medicine. It is not known if INBRIJA is safe or effective in children.

Do not use INBRIJA if you: take or have taken a nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine within the last 2 weeks.

Before using INBRIJA, tell your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, including if you:

• have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or any chronic lung disease
• have daytime sleepiness, sleep disorders, sleepiness/drowsiness without warning, or use medicine that increases sleepiness, including antidepressants or antipsychotics
• have dizziness, nausea, sweating, or fainting when standing up
• have abnormal movement (dyskinesia)
• have mental health problems such as hallucinations or psychosis
• have uncontrollable urges like gambling, sexual urges, spending money, or binge eating
• have glaucoma
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is unknown if INBRIJA can harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Levodopa can pass into breastmilk and it is unknown if it can harm the baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Using INBRIJA and certain other medicines may affect each other and cause serious side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

• MAO-B inhibitors
• dopamine (D2) antagonists (including phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, metoclopramide)
• isoniazid
• iron salts or multivitamins that contain iron salts

How should I use INBRIJA?

INBRIJA is for oral inhalation use only. Do not swallow or open INBRIJA capsules. Only use INBRIJA capsules with the INBRIJA inhaler. Do not use the INBRIJA inhaler to take any other medicine.

Do not orally inhale more than 1 dose (2 capsules) for any OFF period. Do not take more than 5 doses (10 capsules) in a day.

What should I avoid while taking INBRIJA?

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other activities until you know how INBRIJA affects you. Sleepiness and falling asleep suddenly can happen as late as a year after treatment is started.

What are the possible Side Effects of INBRIJA?

INBRIJA can cause serious side effects including:

• falling asleep during normal daily activities with or without warning. If you become drowsy, do not drive or do activities where you need to be alert for your safety or the safety of others. Chances of falling asleep during normal activities increases if you take medicine that cause drowsiness.
• withdrawal-emergent hyperpyrexia and confusion (fever, stiff muscles, or changes in breathing and heartbeat) if you suddenly stop using INBRIJA or carbidopa/levodopa, or suddenly lower your dose of carbidopa/levodopa.
• low blood pressure when standing up (that may or may not happen with dizziness, fainting, nausea, and sweating). Get up slowly after sitting/lying down.
• hallucinations and other psychosis - INBRIJA may cause or worsen seeing/hearing/believing things that are not real; confusion, disorientation, or disorganized thinking; trouble sleeping; dreaming a lot; being overly suspicious or feeling people want to harm you; acting aggressive; and feeling agitated/restless.
• unusual uncontrollable urges such as gambling, binge eating, shopping, and sexual urges has occurred in some people using medicine like INBRIJA.
• uncontrolled, sudden body movements (dyskinesia) may be caused or worsened by INBRIJA. INBRIJA may need to be stopped or other Parkinson's medicines may need to be changed.
• bronchospasm - people with asthma, COPD, or other lung diseases may wheeze or have difficulty breathing after inhaling INBRIJA. If this occurs, stop taking INBRIJA and seek immediate medical attention.
• increased eye pressure in patients with glaucoma. Your healthcare provider should monitor this.
• changes in certain lab values including liver tests.

The most common side effects of INBRIJA are cough, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, and change in the color of saliva or spit. Another side effect of INBRIJA is sensation of choking right after use.

These are not all the possible side effects of INBRIJA

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
• You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more:

• Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist.
• Visit www.inbrija.com to obtain the Full Prescribing Information, Patient Information, and Instructions for Use.
• Call 1-800-367-5109

About Merz Therapeutics

Merz Therapeutics GmbH is dedicated to delivering better outcomes for more patients. With science as its foundation and the patient experience as its focus, the company relentlessly pursues innovative treatments and partnerships to address unmet needs in movement disorders, neurodegenerative conditions and other health conditions that severely impact patients’ quality of life.

Merz Therapeutics is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and is active in over 80 countries, with a North America affiliate in Raleigh, North Carolina. Merz Therapeutics GmbH is part of the Merz Group, a privately held, family-owned company with a 117-year legacy. With passion and purpose, Merz Therapeutics continues to advance care in specialty neurology in ways that benefit both patients and society. Please visit www.merztherapeutics.com.

References

1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Parkinson’s Disease: Challenges, Progress, and Promise,” accessed January 6, 2026.

This press release is not intended to offer recommendations, advice, endorsement, guidance or suggestions for administering or otherwise using INBRIJA^® in any manner inconsistent with its current prescribing information approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Muhammad Ali’s legacy and story are used with permission. He was not treated with INBRIJA^®.