UCB highlights ‘convenience’ of Keppra XR tablets

UCB has highlighted that its Keppra XR (levetiracetam) extended-release tablets provide a convenient dosing schedule which will help epileptic patients stick to their regimens.

Iris Loew-Friedrich, global head of development at UCB Group, explained: “There is an ongoing need for new antiepileptic drug options without the limitations of twice-daily dosing.”

Keppra XR has already demonstrated a positive efficacy, safety and tolerability profile following a phase III study which investigated its use as a once-daily adjunctive therapy in 158 refractory epilepsy patients with parital onset seizures.

The study met its primary endpoint for seizure reduction with the median per cent reduction of patial onset seizures for Keppra XR at 46.1 per cent compared to 33.4 per cent with placebo.

In addition, 24 per cent of patients in the extended-release levetiracetam group had seizure frequency reduced by 74-100 per cent per week, compared with 11.4 per cent in the placebo group.

Following the study, UCB has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has accepted for filing a New Drug Application for the use of Keppra XR in the adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures in adults with epilepsy.

Last month, UCB gave an update of the company’s current position, reporting that it was “on track” to deliver its financial and development targets for 2007.