ATLANTA, April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, a leading biopharmaceutical company committed to the development of new epilepsy treatments and research, will sponsor multiple sets of key epilepsy data at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in New Orleans from April 21-28. The data comprise several posters examining the use of the antiepileptic drug (AED) Vimpat® (lacosamide) C-V, including updated health-related quality of life analysis from pooled open label extension trials.
“UCB is committed to advancing research to better understand the clinical profile of Vimpat®. The research we will present at AAN encompasses several lacosamide studies that measure patient-reported seizure frequency and health-related quality of life over the long-term,” said Dr. James Zackheim, PhD, Senior Medical Director, Central Nervous System Business Unit, UCB, Inc.
Vimpat® is indicated as an add-on therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults with epilepsy. The most common adverse reactions reported in pivotal trials and occurring in 10 percent or more of Vimpat®-treated patients, and greater than placebo, were dizziness, headache, nausea and diplopia. Additional important safety information for Vimpat® is available at the end of the press release.
Following is a guide to UCB-sponsored posters for Vimpat® and epilepsy being exhibited during AAN. For more information please contact Andrea Levin at 404.483.7329 or Andrea.Levin@ucb.com.
UCB-Sponsored Posters
Vimpat® (lacosamide) C-V Posters:
1. Lacosamide as Add-On to Monotherapy in Patients with Partial-Onset Seizures: Interim Results of the Post-Marketing VITOBA Study (VImpaT added to One Baseline AED)
P06.126; Poster Session VI: Thursday, April 26, 7:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
2. Long-Term Adjunctive Lacosamide in Patients with Focal Epilepsy: Seizure Severity and Quality of Life
P01.075; Poster Session I: Monday, April 23, 2:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
3. Improved Seizure Severity, Health-Related Quality of Life and Health Status Reported by Patients During Long-Term Treatment with Lacosamide: Analysis of Pooled Open-Label Data
PD3.008; Poster Discussion Session: Tuesday, April 24, 2:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
4. Lacosamide Added to Concomitant AEDs Grouped by Mechanism of Action: Impact on Patient-Reported Quality of Life in Pooled Phase II/III Trials
P06.114; Poster Session VI: Thursday, April 26, 7:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
5. Evaluation of Long-Term Treatment with Lacosamide for Partial-Onset Seizures: A Pooled Analysis of Open-Label Extension Trials
P06.125; Poster Session VI: Thursday, April 26, 7:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
6. Low Lacosamide Plasma Protein Binding in Lacosamide-Naive Patients
P01.077; Poster Session I: Monday, April 23, 2:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
7. Lacosamide Does Not Alter In Vitro Long-Term Potentiation in Mouse Hippocampal CA1 Area
P05.087; Poster Session V: Wednesday, April 25, 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
8. Lacosamide Has No Effect on the Enzymatic Activity of CYP3A4
P01.076; Poster Session I: Monday, April 23, 2:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
Epilepsy Posters:
1. Incidence of Congenital Malformations in Infants Born to Patients With Epilepsy: A Comparison of Pregnancy Registries and Cohort Study Data
S56.003; Scientific Session: Thursday, April 26, 3:30 p.m.
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide and 3 million people in the U.S. Anyone can develop epilepsy; it occurs across all ages, races, and genders. Uncontrolled seizures and medication side effects pose challenges to independent living, learning, and employment, so the goal of epilepsy treatment is seizure freedom with minimal side effects. In the U.S., more than 1 million patients continue to have seizures despite initial therapy, and more than 800,000 continue to have seizures despite treatment with two or more therapies. [1],[2]
About Vimpat®
Vimpat® tablets and injection were launched in the U.S. in May 2009 as an add-on therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in people with epilepsy who are aged 17 years and older. Vimpat® injection is a short-term replacement when oral administration is not feasible in these patients. Vimpat® oral solution was launched in June 2010. The availability of the oral tablets, oral solution, and intravenous (IV) injection allows for consistent treatment in a hospital setting.
In the European Union, Vimpat® (film-coated tablets, syrup, and solution for infusion) is approved as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in patients with epilepsy aged 16 years and older. Vimpat® solution for infusion may be used when oral administration is temporarily not feasible.
The maximum approved daily dose for Vimpat® in the European Union and the U.S. is 400 mg/day.
Important safety information about Vimpat®in the U.S.
Warnings and Precautions
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) increase the risk of suicidal behavior and ideation. Patients taking Vimpat® should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.
Patients should be advised that Vimpat® may cause dizziness, ataxia, and syncope. Caution is advised for patients with known cardiac conduction problems, who are taking drugs known to induce PR interval prolongation, or with severe cardiac disease. In patients with seizure disorders, Vimpat® should be gradually withdrawn to minimize the potential of increased seizure frequency. Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with antiepileptic drugs. If this reaction is suspected, treatment with Vimpat® should be discontinued.
Vimpat® oral solution contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine. A 200 mg dose of Vimpat® oral solution (equivalent to 20 mL) contains 0.32 mg of phenylalanine.
Common Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions occurring in greater than or equal to 10 percent of Vimpat®-treated patients, and greater than placebo, were dizziness, headache, nausea, and diplopia.
Dosage adjustments are recommended for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment or severe renal impairment. The use of Vimpat® in patients with severe hepatic impairment is not recommended.
For full prescribing information on Vimpat®, visit http://www.vimpat.com/prescribing-information.aspx. (Accessed 18 October, 2011)
For more information on Vimpat®, visit www.Vimpat.com or contact UCB at 800.477.7877.
Vimpat® (C-V) is a Schedule V controlled substance.
Vimpat® is a registered trademark used under license from Harris FRC Corporation.
Important safety information about Vimpat® in the EU and EEA
Vimpat® (lacosamide) is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in patients with epilepsy aged 16 years and older. Vimpat® solution for infusion is an alternative for patients when oral administration is temporarily not feasible. 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. Second degree or higher AV block has been reported in post-marketing experience. 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 counselled to seek medical advice should any of these symptoms occur. Suicidal ideation and behavior have been reported in patients treated with anti-epileptic agents in several indications. Therefore patients should be monitored for signs of suicidal ideation and behaviors and appropriate treatment should be considered. Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be advised to seek medical advice should signs of suicidal ideation or behavior emerge. Vimpat® syrup contains sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E219) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).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 and 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. 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 greater than or equal to 3XULN occurred in 0.7% (7/935) of Vimpat® patients and 0% (0/356) of placebo patients. Multiorgan Hypersensitivity Reactions: Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions 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. Potential cases have been reported rarely with Vimpat® and if multiorgan hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, Vimpat® should be discontinued. Undesirable effects: The most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 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 de-creased over time. Other common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 1% - <10%) are depression, confusional state, insomnia, balance disorder, coordination abnormal, memory impairment, cognitive disorder, somnolence, tremor, nystagmus, hypoesthesia, dysarthria, disturbance in attention, vision blurred, vertigo, tinnitus, vomiting, constipation, flatulence, dyspepsia, dry mouth, pruritus, rash, muscle spasms, gait disturbance, asthenia, fatigue, irritability, injection site pain or discomfort (specific to solution for infusion), irritation (specific to solution for infusion), fall, and skin laceration. 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.
Refer to the European Summary of Product Characteristics for other adverse reactions and full prescribing information. Date of revision: 21st February 2012.
http://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/html/h470.htm (Accessed 5th March 2012)
Further Information
Andrea Levin, Associate Director, Communications & PR, CNS, UCB, Inc.
T 770.970.8352 / M 404.483.7329 / Andrea.levin@ucb.com
Dana Gulick, Cooney/Waters Group
T 212.886.2227 / M 917.216.6268 / dgulick@cooneywaters.com
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 8 500 people in about 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.2 billion in 2011. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).
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[1] http://epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/
[2] http://epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/treatment/index.cfm
SOURCE UCB
