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Pharmaceutical company UCB has announced that a new add-ontreatment for adults with epilepsy , with or without secondary generalised seizures, will be available on the NHS in the UK.
Briviact (brivaracetam) is an anti-epileptic drug that willprovide patients with POS a new opportunity to better manage their seizures.
In an international Phase 3 study of 768 patientsuncontrolled on their previous medication, at 50mg dose twice daily againstplacebo, brivaracetam was shown to give significant seizure freedom comparedwith the patients’ usual medication. Patients also revealed the importance ofreducing the titration period – 51% of patients who participated in anindependent European treatment satisfaction survey said this was an importantgoal. The Brivaracetam clinical trials programme was one of the largest inepilepsy, with more than 3,000 patients taking part.
About 600,000 (or one in 100) people are living withepilepsy in the UK and the number of cases is increasing, partly as a result ofthe ageing population. Additionally, only 52% of people treated for epilepsyare seizure-free, but that figure could rise to 70% with the right treatment.
Around 10% of all A&E admissions are for convulsions andseizures, but less than half of these patients are referred to a specialist,and many may also not be receiving the optimal treatment for their epilepsy.
Seizures, which often occur without warning, make itdifficult for patients to lead a normal life, as well as hold down a job orrelationship. The economic cost of epilepsy in England and Wales is estimatedat £2 billion annually, 69% of which is due to indirect costs such asunemployment and mortality.
Dr Mark Manford, Consultant Neurologist at Bedford andAddenbrookes Hospitals, said: “Finding the right combination of medicines formany epilepsy patients can be a long journey, during which time the patient maycontinue to suffer seizures and living a normal life is very difficult. As aneurologist working with patients whose seizures have not yet been broughtunder control, I welcome the possibility that a new medicine may be able tocontribute to the tools available to help my patients.”
Simon Wigglesworth, Deputy Chief Executive at EpilepsyAction, said: “Seizures can have a significant impact on people’s lives andwellbeing so it’s really important that those with epilepsy can access the bestpossible treatment to help them enjoy life to the full. It is alwaysencouraging to see the creation of new medicines for people with epilepsy.Brivaracetam could be an effective treatment for those people with epilepsy whohave so far struggled to become seizure-free.”
John-Kenneth Sake, Head Medical Affairs Central NervousSystem Europe at UCB added: “We are delighted to offer an alternative treatmentto epilepsy patients who are having difficulties in controlling their seizures.UCB has been committed to the management of epilepsy, working very closely withpatients through all stages of development to ensure a better understanding ofthe unmet needs of those suffering from this severe and life-changingcondition. We hope that the launch of brivaracetam will help many epilepsypatients in the UK and across Europe.”
Brivaracetam was granted European Medicines Agency authorisationfor use within Europe and the UK on January 14, specifically for the treatmentof POS, with or without generalised seizures.