Eisai reports encouraging data from epilepsy drug trial

Eisai has published clinical trial data from a recent phase III study of perampanel, a new treatment it is developing for epilepsy patients with refractory partial seizures.

According to the results of the trial – which was conducted primarily in Europe and Asia – patients using the Eisai drug experienced reductions in median seizure frequency as well as increased responder rates.

It means that the treatment was able to meet its primary outcome targets in the 706-patient study, while a linear trend for dose response was also deemed to be highly statistically significant.

This study is the first in a series of phase III trials which will be conducted for perampanel, with two further trials currently underway.

It is hoped that results from these studies will be available within a year and will allow Eisai to submit the drug for regulatory approval in Europe and the US before then end of 2011.

Last month, the pharmaceutical company published data from a two-year trial of its weight loss treatment lorcaserin, demonstrating its efficacy compared to placebo.