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European monotherapy indication broadens clinical application of VIMPAT® for people with epilepsy living with partial-onset seizures
BRUSSELS, Belgium I December 20, 2016 I The European Commission (EC) has approved a license extension for UCB’s anti-epilepsy drug (AED) VIMPAT® (lacosamide) for use as monotherapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures (POS) in adult and adolescent (16-18 years) patients with epilepsy1. The approval comes into immediate effect, following a positive opinion recommendation from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in November 20162.
The Commission’s decision approval was supported by a Phase III international, double-blind, randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial, which showed non-inferiority of lacosamide (VIMPAT®) monotherapy compared with controlled-release carbamazepine among patients with newly or recently diagnosed POS. The trial, published in the November edition of the Lancet Neurology3, was conducted according to guidance issued by the EMA and the International League Against Epilepsy and involved 888 patients aged 16 years or older making it the largest trial of its kind so far. Lacosamide was generally well tolerated by patients, with an adverse event (AE) profile comparable to that observed in previous trials, including dizziness, headache and nausea.
“We are delighted that, with this new monotherapy indication for VIMPAT®, it will now be available to help even more patients living with partial onset epilepsy,” explained Jeff Wren, Head of UCB’s Neurology Patient Value Unit. “Bringing new epilepsy solutions to support people living with epilepsy has been a core UCB mission over the last decade. This monotherapy indication builds on our longstanding commitment to help people with seizure disorders at every point of their journey.”
The lifetime prevalence of epilepsy is 2-5%, and seizure incidence rates tend to be higher in people over the age of 65. An estimated seven million people in Europe will have an epileptic seizure at some time during their lives, and as many as 30% may have a treatment-refractory form of the condition.4 This Commission decision provides an additional treatment option for people with epilepsy, representing a significant unmet need.5
“Selection of the first antiepileptic drug is one of the most important decisions for patients – together, we need to choose one that is effective, is generally well tolerated, and suits their individual profile” explained Professor Michel Baulac, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France and lead author of the recent Lancet Neurology paper. “Epilepsy is a complex multifactorial disease and not all patients will respond to currently available options; consequently, addition of another antiepileptic drug to the selection we can choose is very important.”
Currently VIMPAT® is approved in 44 countries as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults with epilepsy (ages ≥ 17 years in the U.S6., ages ≥ 16 years in the EU1), and has been approved as monotherapy in the US (ages ≥ 17 years6) since 2014. VIMPAT® peak sale expectations are confirmed to reach at least €1.2 billion by 2020.
About VIMPAT®
VIMPAT® (lacosamide) was first launched in the European Union in September 2008, as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in adult and adolescent (16-18 years) patients with epilepsy. In countries of the EU, VIMPAT® is available as film-coated tablets, syrup and solution for infusion. VIMPAT® solution for infusion is an alternative for patients when oral administration is temporarily not feasible. VIMPAT® tablets and injection were launched in the U.S. in May 2009 as an add-on therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in people with epilepsy who are aged 17 years and older. VIMPAT® injection is a short-term replacement when oral administration is not feasible in these patients. VIMPAT® oral solution was launched in the U.S. in June 2010. The availability of the oral tablets, oral solution, and intravenous (IV) injection allows for consistent patient treatment. In Asia, VIMPAT® is available in Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, and was recently approved for use in Japan, where the product will be jointly commercialized by Daiichi Sankyo. VIMPAT® is not approved in China. Important safety information about VIMPAT® is available below.
About Epilepsy7,8,
Epilepsy is a disease of the brain affecting approximately 65 million people worldwide. It is defined as either the occurrence of two or more unprovoked seizures >24 hours apart or one unprovoked (or reflex) seizure and a probability of further seizures occurring over the next 10 years that is similar to the general recurrence risk (at least 60%) after two unprovoked seizures or diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome. Although epilepsy may be linked to factors such as health conditions, race and age, it can develop in anyone at any age, and approximately 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
About the Phase III international, double-blind, randomized, active-controlled trial3
Results are from a Phase III international, double-blind, randomized, active-controlled trial, the fourth in a series of non-inferiority trials conducted according to guidance issued by the European Medicines Agency and the International League Against Epilepsy, were recently published in the prestigious Lancet Neurology journal.3
Overall, 888 patients aged 16 years or older took part in the study, making it the largest trial of its kind so far. Six-month seizure-freedom, the primary endpoint of the trial, was 91.5% among patients treated with lacosamide (200-600mg/day) and 92.8% with carbamazepine-CR (400-1200mg/day). Kaplan-Meier estimates for these rates, based on the proportion of patients completing six months of treatment at the last evaluated dose without experiencing a seizure, were 73.6% and 69.7%, respectively. The adverse event (AE) profile was comparable to that observed in previous lacosamide trials, including dizziness, headaches and nausea.
About UCB in Epilepsy
UCB has a rich heritage in epilepsy with over 20 years of experience in the research and development of novel antiepileptic drugs. Every day, thousands of people use AEDs from our portfolio to help control their seizures. As a company with a long-term commitment to epilepsy research our goal is to address unmet medical needs and to deliver solutions that improve patients’ lives. Our scientists are proud to contribute to advances in the understanding of epilepsy and its treatment. We partner and create super-networks with world-leading scientists and clinicians in academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies and other organizations who share our goals. At UCB, we are inspired by patients and driven by science in our commitment to support patients with epilepsy.
About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases in immunology and neurology. With more than 7,500 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of €3.9 billion in 2015. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news
References
- European Medicines Agency.
- European Medicines Agency. Accessed 20th December 2016 from http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Summary_of_opinion/human/000863/WC500216004.pdf
- Baulac, M., Rosenow, F., Toledo, M., Terada, K., Li, T., De Backer, M., Werhahn, K., and Brock, M. Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of lacosamide monotherapy versus controlled-release carbamazepine in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy: a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority trial. Lancet Neurol;2017;16;1;43-54
- European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. Epilepsy. Accessed 20th December 2016 from http://www.efpia.eu/diseases/89/59/Epilepsy.
- Schmidt D, Schachter SC. Drug treatment of epilepsy in adults. BMJ. 2014;348:g2546 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24583319)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. VIMPAT® (lacosamide) Prescribing Information. Accessed 20th December 2016 from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/022255s026s027,022254s019s020,022255s012s013lbl.pdf.
- The Epilepsy Foundation of America. Who gets epilepsy? Accessed 20th December 2016 from http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-101/who-gets-epilepsy.
- Fisher, R.S., et al., ILAE Official Report: A practical clinical definition of epilepsy. Epilepsia, 2014. 55(4):475-482.
SOURCE: UCB
Post Views: 19
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European monotherapy indication broadens clinical application of VIMPAT® for people with epilepsy living with partial-onset seizures
BRUSSELS, Belgium I December 20, 2016 I The European Commission (EC) has approved a license extension for UCB’s anti-epilepsy drug (AED) VIMPAT® (lacosamide) for use as monotherapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures (POS) in adult and adolescent (16-18 years) patients with epilepsy1. The approval comes into immediate effect, following a positive opinion recommendation from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in November 20162.
The Commission’s decision approval was supported by a Phase III international, double-blind, randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial, which showed non-inferiority of lacosamide (VIMPAT®) monotherapy compared with controlled-release carbamazepine among patients with newly or recently diagnosed POS. The trial, published in the November edition of the Lancet Neurology3, was conducted according to guidance issued by the EMA and the International League Against Epilepsy and involved 888 patients aged 16 years or older making it the largest trial of its kind so far. Lacosamide was generally well tolerated by patients, with an adverse event (AE) profile comparable to that observed in previous trials, including dizziness, headache and nausea.
“We are delighted that, with this new monotherapy indication for VIMPAT®, it will now be available to help even more patients living with partial onset epilepsy,” explained Jeff Wren, Head of UCB’s Neurology Patient Value Unit. “Bringing new epilepsy solutions to support people living with epilepsy has been a core UCB mission over the last decade. This monotherapy indication builds on our longstanding commitment to help people with seizure disorders at every point of their journey.”
The lifetime prevalence of epilepsy is 2-5%, and seizure incidence rates tend to be higher in people over the age of 65. An estimated seven million people in Europe will have an epileptic seizure at some time during their lives, and as many as 30% may have a treatment-refractory form of the condition.4 This Commission decision provides an additional treatment option for people with epilepsy, representing a significant unmet need.5
“Selection of the first antiepileptic drug is one of the most important decisions for patients – together, we need to choose one that is effective, is generally well tolerated, and suits their individual profile” explained Professor Michel Baulac, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France and lead author of the recent Lancet Neurology paper. “Epilepsy is a complex multifactorial disease and not all patients will respond to currently available options; consequently, addition of another antiepileptic drug to the selection we can choose is very important.”
Currently VIMPAT® is approved in 44 countries as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults with epilepsy (ages ≥ 17 years in the U.S6., ages ≥ 16 years in the EU1), and has been approved as monotherapy in the US (ages ≥ 17 years6) since 2014. VIMPAT® peak sale expectations are confirmed to reach at least €1.2 billion by 2020.
About VIMPAT®
VIMPAT® (lacosamide) was first launched in the European Union in September 2008, as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in adult and adolescent (16-18 years) patients with epilepsy. In countries of the EU, VIMPAT® is available as film-coated tablets, syrup and solution for infusion. VIMPAT® solution for infusion is an alternative for patients when oral administration is temporarily not feasible. VIMPAT® tablets and injection were launched in the U.S. in May 2009 as an add-on therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in people with epilepsy who are aged 17 years and older. VIMPAT® injection is a short-term replacement when oral administration is not feasible in these patients. VIMPAT® oral solution was launched in the U.S. in June 2010. The availability of the oral tablets, oral solution, and intravenous (IV) injection allows for consistent patient treatment. In Asia, VIMPAT® is available in Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, and was recently approved for use in Japan, where the product will be jointly commercialized by Daiichi Sankyo. VIMPAT® is not approved in China. Important safety information about VIMPAT® is available below.
About Epilepsy7,8,
Epilepsy is a disease of the brain affecting approximately 65 million people worldwide. It is defined as either the occurrence of two or more unprovoked seizures >24 hours apart or one unprovoked (or reflex) seizure and a probability of further seizures occurring over the next 10 years that is similar to the general recurrence risk (at least 60%) after two unprovoked seizures or diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome. Although epilepsy may be linked to factors such as health conditions, race and age, it can develop in anyone at any age, and approximately 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
About the Phase III international, double-blind, randomized, active-controlled trial3
Results are from a Phase III international, double-blind, randomized, active-controlled trial, the fourth in a series of non-inferiority trials conducted according to guidance issued by the European Medicines Agency and the International League Against Epilepsy, were recently published in the prestigious Lancet Neurology journal.3
Overall, 888 patients aged 16 years or older took part in the study, making it the largest trial of its kind so far. Six-month seizure-freedom, the primary endpoint of the trial, was 91.5% among patients treated with lacosamide (200-600mg/day) and 92.8% with carbamazepine-CR (400-1200mg/day). Kaplan-Meier estimates for these rates, based on the proportion of patients completing six months of treatment at the last evaluated dose without experiencing a seizure, were 73.6% and 69.7%, respectively. The adverse event (AE) profile was comparable to that observed in previous lacosamide trials, including dizziness, headaches and nausea.
About UCB in Epilepsy
UCB has a rich heritage in epilepsy with over 20 years of experience in the research and development of novel antiepileptic drugs. Every day, thousands of people use AEDs from our portfolio to help control their seizures. As a company with a long-term commitment to epilepsy research our goal is to address unmet medical needs and to deliver solutions that improve patients’ lives. Our scientists are proud to contribute to advances in the understanding of epilepsy and its treatment. We partner and create super-networks with world-leading scientists and clinicians in academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies and other organizations who share our goals. At UCB, we are inspired by patients and driven by science in our commitment to support patients with epilepsy.
About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases in immunology and neurology. With more than 7,500 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of €3.9 billion in 2015. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news
References
- European Medicines Agency.
- European Medicines Agency. Accessed 20th December 2016 from http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Summary_of_opinion/human/000863/WC500216004.pdf
- Baulac, M., Rosenow, F., Toledo, M., Terada, K., Li, T., De Backer, M., Werhahn, K., and Brock, M. Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of lacosamide monotherapy versus controlled-release carbamazepine in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy: a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority trial. Lancet Neurol;2017;16;1;43-54
- European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. Epilepsy. Accessed 20th December 2016 from http://www.efpia.eu/diseases/89/59/Epilepsy.
- Schmidt D, Schachter SC. Drug treatment of epilepsy in adults. BMJ. 2014;348:g2546 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24583319)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. VIMPAT® (lacosamide) Prescribing Information. Accessed 20th December 2016 from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/022255s026s027,022254s019s020,022255s012s013lbl.pdf.
- The Epilepsy Foundation of America. Who gets epilepsy? Accessed 20th December 2016 from http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-101/who-gets-epilepsy.
- Fisher, R.S., et al., ILAE Official Report: A practical clinical definition of epilepsy. Epilepsia, 2014. 55(4):475-482.
SOURCE: UCB
Post Views: 19
