UCB Pharmaceutical’s Keppra shows efficacy as epilepsy adjunctive treatment

New data from Belgium’s UCB Pharmaceuticals claims to show that 25 per cent of patients with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (IGE) became free from all types of seizures when Keppra (levetiracetam) was administered as an add-on treatment.

The company added that during the 20 week evaluation period, only one in twelve of those who took a placebo in addition to their usual therapy became seizure free.

The results of the study were presented at a UCB sponsored Scientific Exhibit at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in Washington, DC.

Study investigator, Dr Robert Leroy, from the Neurological Clinic of Texas, said: “These are major seizures which disrupt the working, school and social lives of those who have them. The results show that Keppra significantly reduced PGTC seizures. The tolerability profile is comparable to that seen in studies of Keppra in patients with epilepsy and other types of seizures.”

UCB recently filed a variation application with the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of Keppra as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of myoclonic seizures in patients, 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

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