UCB reports positive data for new treatment for partial-onset seizures

UCB has presented positive new efficacy and safety data from the latest phase III study of its epilepsy drug brivaracetam.

For patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures, UCB's drug showed statistically significant and clinically relevant reductions in seizure frequency, while its safety profile was consistent with previous studies.

Conducted among 768 patients, this trial represented the largest phase III study conducted in epilepsy patients with partial-onset seizures. More than 80 percent of participants in this study had a history of taking two or more previous therapies, while almost half had taken at least five.

UCB hopes to file for approval of the drug from US and EU regulatory authorities in early 2015.

Professor Dr Iris Loew-Friedrich, chief medical officer and executive vice-president at UCB, said: "We are now focused on the next important step for brivaracetam with applications to US and EU regulatory authorities planned for early 2015."

These findings were shared at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, where the company is sponsoring a total of 24 presentations, including 12 on its established epilepsy therapy Vimpat.