UCB Announces FDA Filing For Lacosamide In The Treatment Of Partial Onset Seizures In Adults With Epilepsy

Main Category: Epilepsy
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 30 Nov 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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UCB announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for filing the New Drug Application (NDA) for the use of lacosamide as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults with epilepsy. The application includes three lacosamide formulations -- tablets, syrup and an intravenous injection. The proposed trade name for lacosamide is Vimpat(TM).

"This filing is another step in support of UCB's epilepsy franchise and its long-term commitment to advancing treatment options for patients with epilepsy," said Iris Loew-Friedrich, MD, PhD, Global Head of Development, UCB.

The NDA for lacosamide in epilepsy is supported by data from three clinical trials with a total of approximately 1,300 adults with uncontrolled partial onset seizures, despite taking one to three antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In these studies, significantly greater 50% responder rates and reductions in median seizure frequency were seen versus placebo. The most common adverse events of lacosamide (greater than or equal to 10%) reported in these trials included dizziness, headache, nausea and diplopia.

A similar filing made to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) earlier this year for the use of lacosamide as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults with epilepsy, was accepted and is currently under review.

About Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting 40 million people worldwide including 2.5 million people in the US. It is caused by abnormal, excessive electrical discharges of the nerve cells or neurons in the brain. Epilepsy is characterized by a tendency to have recurrent seizures and defined by two or more unprovoked seizures. There are many different seizure types and epileptic syndromes and effective classification guides treatment and prognosis. Between 70-80% of individuals are successfully treated with one of the more than 20 antiepileptic drugs now available. However, 20-30% of patients have either intractable or uncontrolled seizures or significant adverse side effects secondary to medication highlighting the ongoing need for the development of new antiepileptic drugs.

About Lacosamide: Lacosamide has a novel and dual mode of action. It selectively enhances slow inactivation of sodium channels and interacts with the neuroplasticity-relevant target-collapsin-response mediator protein-2 (CRMP-2).

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (http://www.ucb-group.com) is a global leader in the biopharmaceutical industry dedicated to the research, development and commercialisation of innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in the fields of central nervous system disorders, allergy/respiratory diseases, immune and inflammatory disorders and oncology. UCB focuses on securing a leading position in severe disease categories. Employing more than 10,000 people in over 40 countries, UCB achieved revenue of 3.5 billion euro in 2006 on a pro forma basis. UCB S.A. is listed on the Euronext Brussels Exchange and, through its affiliate, owns approx. 89% of the shares of SCHWARZ PHARMA AG. SCHWARZ PHARMA (Monheim, Germany) is a member of the UCB Group.

Forward looking statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those that may be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, effects of future judicial decisions, changes in regulation, exchange rate fluctuations and hiring and retention of its employees.

UCB, Inc
http://www.ucb-group.com

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