UCB enhances epilepsy presence in Japan and China: positive Phase 3 study for VIMPAT®
Brussels (Belgium), 28th October 2014 – 0700 (CET) – UCB announced today that the Phase 3 clinical study evaluating VIMPAT® (lacosamide) as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of Japanese and Chinese adult patients with partial-onset seizures has met its primary efficacy endpoint.
The top-line results demonstrated that lacosamide (200 and 400 mg/day) significantly reduced partial-onset seizure frequency, when compared to placebo. The adverse event profile in this study was consistent with that known for lacosamide.1 Based on the positive results of this study, UCB plans to submit regulatory applications in Japan and China in 2015 for VIMPAT® as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of adult patients with partial-onset seizures.
“As a patient-centric biopharmaceutical company, our goal is to ensure that epilepsy patients around the world have access to our medicines. To date, VIMPAT® is available in over 40 countries and has been used by over 300,000 patients,” said Professor Dr. Iris Loew Friedrich, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, UCB. “The data from this study will be part of a VIMPAT® regulatory submission in China and Japan and represents a significant milestone for the epilepsy community and ultimately for patients. Subject to regulatory approval, VIMPAT® could be available as a treatment option to Japanese and Chinese patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures.”
This Phase 3 study was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of 200 and 400 mg/day of orally administered lacosamide as adjunctive therapy in 547 Japanese and Chinese adult patients, aged 16 to 70 years, with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization. The primary outcome measure was the change in partial-onset seizure frequency per 28 days from baseline to the maintenance period. Secondary efficacy variables included 50% responder rate, measured by percentage of patients achieving a ≥50% reduction in partial-onset seizure frequency per 28 days from baseline to the maintenance period.2
VIMPAT® was first launched in the European Union in September 2008, as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in adult and adolescent (16-18 years) patients with epilepsy. In countries of the EU, VIMPAT® is available as film-coated tablets, syrup and solution for infusion. Lacosamide solution for infusion is an alternative for patients when oral administration is temporarily not feasible.1
UCB obtained Japanese rights to VIMPAT® at the end of 2010 and holds the world-wide rights to development and marketing. VIMPAT® is currently not approved in Japan or in China for the treatment of epilepsy.
About Epilepsy3-4
Epilepsy is a disease of the brain affecting approximately 65 million people worldwide. It is defined as either the occurrence of two or more unprovoked seizures >24 hours apart or one unprovoked (or reflex) seizure and a probability of further seizures occurring over the next 10 years that is similar to the general recurrence risk (at least 60%) after two unprovoked seizures or diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome. Although epilepsy may be linked to factors such as health conditions, race and age, it can develop in anyone at any age, and approximately 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
About UCB in Epilepsy
UCB has a rich heritage in epilepsy with over 20 years of experience in the research and development of novel antiepileptic drugs. Every day, thousands of people use AEDs from our portfolio to help control their seizures. As a company with a long-term commitment to epilepsy research our goal is to address unmet medical needs and to deliver solutions that improve patients’ lives. Our scientists are proud to contribute to advances in the understanding of epilepsy and its treatment. We partner and create super-networks with world-leading scientists and clinicians in academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies and other organizations who share our goals. At UCB, we are inspired by patients and driven by science in our commitment to support patients with epilepsy.
About VIMPAT® (lacosamide)1
Important Safety Information about VIMPAT® in the EU and EEA1
VIMPAT® (lacosamide) is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in adult and adolescent (16-18 years) patients with epilepsy. VIMPAT® therapy can be initiated with either oral or IV administration. A single loading dose may be initiated in patients in situations when the physician determines that rapid attainment of lacosamide steady state plasma concentration and therapeutic effect is warranted. It should be administered under medical supervision with consideration of the potential for increased incidence of CNS adverse reactions. Administration of a loading dose has not been studied in acute conditions such as status epilepticus. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients; known second- or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block. Special warnings and precautions for use: Treatment with VIMPAT® has been associated with dizziness which could increase the occurrence of accidental injury or falls. Therefore, patients should be advised to exercise caution until they are familiar with the potential effects of the medicine. Prolongations in PR interval with VIMPAT® have been observed in clinical studies. Cases with second- and third-degree AV block associated with VIMPAT® treatment have been reported in post-marketing experience. VIMPAT® should be used with caution in patients with known conduction problems or severe cardiac disease such as a history of myocardial infarction or heart failure. Caution should especially be exerted when treating elderly patients as they may be at an increased risk of cardiac disorders or when VIMPAT® is used in combination with products known to be associated with PR prolongation. In the placebo-controlled trials of VIMPAT® in epilepsy patients, atrial fibrillation or flutter were not reported; however both have been reported in open-label epilepsy trials and in post-marketing experience. Patients should be made aware of the symptoms of second-degree or higher AV block (e.g. slow or irregular pulse, feeling of lightheaded and fainting) and of the symptoms of atrial fibrillation and flutter (e.g. palpitations, rapid or irregular pulse, shortness of breath). Patients should be counseled to seek medical advice should any of these symptoms occur. Suicidal ideation and behaviour have been reported in patients treated with anti-epileptic agents in several indications. Therefore patients should be monitored for signs of suicidal ideation and behaviours and appropriate treatment should be considered. Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be advised to seek medical advice should signs of suicidal ideation or behaviour emerge. VIMPAT® syrup contains sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E219) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed). It contains 3.7 g sorbitol (E420) per dose (200 mg lacosamide), corresponding to a calorific value of 9.7 kcal. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this medicine. The syrup contains aspartame (E951), a source of phenylalanine, which may be harmful for people with phenylketonuria. VIMPAT® syrup and the solution for infusion contain sodium, which should be taken into consideration for patients on a controlled sodium diet. Effects on ability to drive and use machines: VIMPAT® may have minor to moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. VIMPAT® treatment has been associated with dizziness or blurred vision. Accordingly patients should be advised not to drive a car or to operate other potentially hazardous machinery until they are familiar with the effects of VIMPAT® on their ability to perform such activities. Undesirable effects: The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) are dizziness, headache, diplopia, and nausea. They were usually mild to moderate in intensity. Some were dose-related and could be alleviated by reducing the dose. Incidence and severity of CNS and gastrointestinal (GI) adverse reactions usually decreased over time. Incidence of CNS adverse reactions such as dizziness may be higher after a loading dose. Other common adverse reactions (≥1% - <10%) are depression, confusional state, insomnia, balance disorder, coordination abnormal, memory impairment, cognitive disorder, somnolence, tremor, nystagmus, hypoesthesia, dysarthria, disturbance in attention, paraesthesia, vision blurred, vertigo, tinnitus, vomiting, constipation, flatulence, dyspepsia, dry mouth, diarrhoea, pruritus, rash, muscle spasms, gait disturbance, asthenia, fatigue, irritability, feeling drunk, injection site pain or discomfort (local adverse events associated with intravenous administration), irritation (local adverse events associated with intravenous administration), fall, and skin laceration, contusion. The use of VIMPAT® is associated with dose-related increase in the PR interval. Adverse reactions associated with PR interval prolongation (e.g. atrioventricular block, syncope, bradycardia) may occur. Laboratory abnormalities: Abnormalities in liver function tests have been observed in controlled trials with VIMPAT® in adult patients with partial-onset seizures who were taking 1-3 concomitant antiepileptic drugs. Elevations of ALT to ≥3XULN occurred in 0.7% (7/935) of VIMPAT® patients and 0% (0/356) of placebo patients. Multiorgan Hypersensitivity Reactions: Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions (also known as Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, DRESS) have been reported in patients treated with some antiepileptic agents. These reactions are variable in expression but typically present with fever and rash and can be associated with involvement of different organ systems. If multiorgan hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, VIMPAT® should be discontinued.
Refer to the European Summary of Product Characteristics for other adverse reactions and full prescribing information. Date of revision: 25th April 2014.
http://www.ema.europa.eu/
For further information
France Nivelle, Global Communications, UCB
T +32.2.559.9178, france.nivelle@ucb.com
Laurent Schots, Media Relations, UCB
T+32.2.559.92.64, Laurent.schots@ucb.com
Antje Witte, Investor Relations, UCB
T +32.2.559.94.14, antje.witte@ucb.com
Alexandra Deschner, Investor Relations, UCB
T +32.2.559.9283, alexandra.deschner@ucb.com
Eimear O’Brien, Brand Communications, UCB
T +32 2 559 92 71, eimear.obrien@ucb.com
References
1. VIMPAT® Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed 24th October 2014 from http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_Information/human/000863/WC500050338.pdf
2. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01710657: Accessed 24th October 2014 from http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01710657?term=NCT01710657&rank = Accessed
3. Fisher, R.S., et al., ILAE Official Report: A practical clinical definition of epilepsy. Epilepsia, 2014. 55(4): p. 475-82.
4. The Epilepsy Foundation. Who gets epilepsy? Accessed 24th October 2014 from http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-101/who-gets-epilepsy
About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 8500 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of € 3.4 billion in 2013. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news
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LCM-PRR-000911 -102014
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