UCB announces positive new Vimpat study data

UCB has announced new data that demonstrate the clinical benefits offered by its established antiepileptic therapy Vimpat.

At the recent annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in San Diego, the company presented results from several trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the drug among adults with partial-onset seizures and other special populations.

A post hoc population-based analysis of pivotal trials showcased the efficacy of Vimpat relative to placebo starting from the first week of exposure, while another analysis demonstrated its tolerability for up to eight years.

The company also presented data showing the benefits it can offer elderly patients, as well as its potential as a therapy for primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures.

Dr William Rosenfeld, director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults in St Louis, said: "By better understanding the short-term and long-term profile of Vimpat in a variety of patient populations and settings, we can identify appropriate treatment options for patients with epilepsy and where further research is warranted."

This comes after UCB launched a new phase III trial of Vimpat in Japan and China last month.