Eisai receives Scottish approval for paediatric Zonegran usage

Eisai has announced that its epilepsy drug Zonegran has been approved for the treatment of partial epilepsy in adolescents and children in Scotland.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has ratified the drug for use among patients aged six years and older, following on from its paediatric licence extension approval by the European Commission in October 2013.

Data from a phase III study showing that that significantly more patients aged six to 17 responded positively to treatment with Zonegran than placebo was instrumental in the regulator's decision.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in the UK and affects around 54,000 people in Scotland alone.

Patrick Standen, brand director for Eisai Europe, said: "As an emerging leader in the field of epilepsy, Eisai is committed to the development of innovative therapies such as this to help people with epilepsy."

This comes after the firm announced earlier this month that it will be collaborating with fellow pharmaceutical company Biogen Idec on the development of two new Alzheimer's disease therapies.