Eisai launches epilepsy therapy Fycompa in UK

Eisai has announced the UK launch of Fycompa, an AMPA receptor antagonist for adjunctive treatment for partial onset seizures, with or without secondarily generalised seizures, in patients aged 12 years and older.

The epilepsy drug was discovered and developed in-house by Eisai and is being released in the UK before anywhere else in the world, with a wider European rollout to follow over the next few months.

In three phase III clinical trials, the drug was shown to offer excellent safety and efficacy, resulting in its approval by the European Commission in July 2012.

An estimated six million people are currently living with epilepsy in Europe and it is believed that around 33,000 people die from the disease each year, making the discovery of new therapies a key priority.

The manufacturer said: "Eisai seeks to make further contributions to address the diversified needs of and increase the benefits provided to epilepsy patients and their families."

Worldwide supplies of Fycompa will be manufactured, packaged and distributed from the company's new facility in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, which is valued at 100 million pounds.