HATFIELD, England, February 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
Eisai announces today that Zebinix(R) (eslicarbazepine acetate), a novel anti-epilepsy treatment, has received full reimbursement from the Finnish Health Authorities. Once-daily eslicarbazepine acetate, is indicated as adjunctive therapy in adults with partial onset seizures, with or without secondary generalisation.[1]
"Up to a third of people with epilepsy do not achieve adequate seizure control after their first anti-epileptic treatment so there is a continued need for additional effective options. Eslicarbazepine acetate will provide doctors with a new, easy to titrate, adjunctive therapy to help those with inadequately controlled partial onset epilepsy improve their condition," commented Dr. Jukka Peltola, Tampere University Hospital.
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in the world and affects approximately 56,000 people in Finland.[2],[3] Despite many anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) available, the successful treatment of partial onset seizures remains a significant challenge in some patients. Currently, between 20-40% of patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy will become refractory to treatment.[4]
Eslicarbazepine acetate, a third generation sodium channel blocker that differentially and selectively targets slow inactivated sodium channels, was approved by the European Commission in 2009 based on data submitted which showed that it reduces seizure frequency by up to 45% in patients with partial epilepsy.[5],[6],[7] Long-term studies also show that up to 18% of patients achieved seizure freedom with eslicarbazepine acetate,[8],[9],[ 10] while a real-world, retrospective, multicentre audit (n=202) show up to 19.8% of patients achieved seizure freedom with the AED.[11] A long-term open-label extension study demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in quality of life from baseline, including seizure worry, energy/fatigue, medication effects and cognitive and social function.[12]
Dr. Sten Friberg, Nordic Medical Director for Eisai AB commented: "We are delighted that Zebinix has received 100% reimbursement status in Finland and will provide an effective and well tolerated alternative treatment to help people with epilepsy manage their seizures. Eisai is committed to bringing effective treatments such as this to patients to help improve their quality of life, as underscored by our human health care mission."
The launch of eslicarbazepine acetate in Finland underscores Eisai's human health care (hhc) mission, the company's commitment to innovative solutions in disease prevention, cure and care for the health and wellbeing of people worldwide. Eslicarbazepine acetate is already available in Albania*, Austria, Czech Republic, Cyprus*, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Malta*, Norway, Portugal*, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Spain (co-promotion with BIAL, the developer of eslicarbazepine acetate) and Wales.
*Exclusively by BIAL
Notes to Editors
Zebinix(R) is the EU trade name for eslicarbazepine acetate
Zebinix(R) is under license from BIAL
About Zebinix(R)(eslicarbazepine acetate)
Eslicarbazepine acetate is a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker.[13] It selectively targets the slow inactivated state of the sodium ion channel[14],[15] (which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy),[16] preventing its return to the active state, and thereby reduces repetitive neuronal firing.[9] Further, eslicarbazepine acetate does not inhibit potassium efflux,[17] which may reduce the potential for repetitive neuronal firings.[18] The efficacy of eslicarbazepine acetate was demonstrated in an initial proof-of-concept phase II study[13] and three subsequent phase III randomised, placebo controlled studies in 1049 patients with refractory partial onset seizures.[5],[6] ,[7]
For more information please visit: http://www.eisai.co.uk
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in the world, affecting approximately eight in 1,000 people in Europe, and an estimated 50 million people worldwide.[19],[20] Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects people of all ages. It is characterised by abnormal discharges of neuronal activity which causes seizures. Seizures can vary in severity, from brief lapses of attention or jerking of muscles, to severe and prolonged convulsions. Depending on the seizure type, seizures may be limited to one part of the body, or may involve the whole body. Seizures can also vary in frequency from less than one per year, to several per day. Epilepsy has many possible causes but often the cause is unknown.
About Eisai EMEA in Epilepsy
Eisai is committed to developing and delivering highly beneficial new treatments to help improve the lives of people with epilepsy. The development of AEDs is a major strategic area for Eisai in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and Oceania (EMEA).
In the EMEA region, Eisai currently has four marketed treatments including:
- Fycompa(R) (perampanel) for use as an adjunctive treatment for partial
onset seizures, with or without secondarily generalised seizures, in patients with
epilepsy aged 12 years and older
- Inovelon(R) (rufinamide) for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated
with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in patients >4 years. (Rufinamide was originally
developed by Novartis)
- Zebinix(R) (eslicarbazepine acetate) as adjunctive therapy in adult patients
with partial onset seizures, with or without secondary generalisation. (Zebinix is
under license from BIAL)
- Zonegran(R) (zonisamide) as monotherapy in adults and adjunctive therapy in
adults, adolescents and children aged six years and above with partial onset seizures,
with or without secondary generalisation. (Zonegran is under license from the
originator Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma)
About Eisai
Eisai is one of the world's leading research and development (R&D) based pharmaceutical companies and we define our corporate mission as "giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides," which we call human health care (hhc).
Eisai concentrates its R&D activities in three key areas:
- Neuroscience, including: Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, pain and weight
loss
- Oncology including: anticancer therapies; tumour regression, tumour
suppression, antibodies, etc
- Vascular/Immunological reaction including: thrombocytopenia, rheumatoid
arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease
With operations in the U.S., Asia, Europe and its domestic home market of Japan, Eisai employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. From its EMEA Knowledge Centre in Hatfield, UK, Eisai has recently expanded its business operations to include Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and Oceania (EMEA). Eisai EMEA has sales and marketing operations in over 20 markets, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Russia and the Middle East.
For further information please visit our web site http://www.eisai.co.uk
About BIAL
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