UCB gets approval for epileptic drug

Belgian pharmaceuticals company UCB has announced that the European commission has approved the use of Keppra, its anti-convulsant epilepsy drug, for the treatment of myclonic seizures in adults and children from 12 years of age who suffer from juvenile myclonic epilepsy (JME).

UCB says it is the only such treatment in Europe for the condition, which is a fairly common variant of epilepsy that can develop between the ages of eight and 26. However, it is most prevalent between 12 and 16 years of age and it affects girls more than boys, according to Epilepsy Action, a UK charity.

During the phase III trial, 22 per cent of Keppra patients achieved “complete seizure freedom” over the 12-week course, compared to two per cent on the placebo.

Troy Cox, president of CNS operations at UCB, remarked: “Keppra has over one million patient years’ experience and continues to help many people with partial-onset seizures. This new indication supports Keppra’s established efficacy and we are pleased that Keppra is now available to patients with myoclonic seizures in JME.”

Dr Soheyl Noachtar, head of the epilepsy centre at the University of Munich, added: “In JME there is a need for anti-epilepsy drugs that are well-tolerated and do not aggravate seizures. Keppra helps to fulfil this niche with its proven efficacy and tolerability in treating myoclonic seizures in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.”

According to Epilepsy Action, the condition afflicts one in every 131 Britons. It adds that many people who develop epilepsy below the age of 20 will “grow out of it” later in life.

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