UCB today announced findings from new studies of the once-daily antiepileptic drug (AED) Keppra XR™ (levetiracetam) extended-release tablets comparing tolerability vs. levetiracetam immediate release and reporting on additional dosing schedules. The data were among five studies that were presented at the 62nd annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in Seattle.
Keppra XR was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 2008 for use as adjunctive treatment for people with partial-onset seizures who are 16 years of age and older.
"In this new meta-analysis, patients taking Keppra XR experienced fewer nervous system side effects than those taking the same dose of twice daily levetiracetam," said James Zackheim, Medical Director, CNS, UCB. "Keppra XR is the only once-daily, extended-release formulation of levetiracetam, and there is no generic alternative available."
Summary of Keppra XR Data Presented at 2008 AES Annual Meeting
Safety Profile of Levetiracetam Extended Release Compared to Immediate Release: An Indirect Comparison Using a Meta-Analytic Approach
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of Phase III data to determine whether Keppra XR is associated with any tolerability advantages versus the same daily dose of levetiracetam IR. According to the meta-analysis, patients taking Keppra XR once-daily had lower rates of some adverse events versus levetiracetam IR twice-daily.
Poster Session 3, Monday, December 8, 8:00 am – 1:30 pm (Abstract 3.243)
Florent Richy, MPH, PhD, Soutrik Banerjee, MD, PhD, Christophe Gervasoni, MS, Patricia Grossman, PharmD, MBA, Sandra Helmers, MD
UCB Pharma, Inc.; University of Liège, Belgium; Joseph Fourier University, France; Stendhal University, France; Emory University Hospital, USA
Single Dose Bioequivalence between Levetiracetam 2 x 750 mg XR Tablets and 3 x 500 mg XR Tablets and Food Effect on 2 x 750 mg XR Tablets in Healthy Subjects
This study demonstrated that an investigational 750 mg tablet strength of Keppra XR is bioequivalent to the approved 500 mg tablet when these are each combined to achieve a 1,500 mg dose. Results show that a single dose of 2 x 750 mg Keppra XR tablets was bioequivalent to a 3 x 500 mg single dose of Keppra XR in healthy adults, and that food intake did not significantly modify Keppra XR 2 x 750 mg disposition.
Poster Session 3, Monday, December 8, 8:00 am – 1:30 pm (Abstract 3.239)
Christian Otoul, Elisabeth Rouits, Ingrid Burton, Evelyne Guénolé, Mona Troenaru, Ans Valgaeren, Pierre Boulanger, Maria Laura Sargentini-Maier
UCB Pharma SA, Braine-L'Alleud, Belgium; Depar™ent of Pharmacokinetics, SGS Life Science Services, Wavre, Belgium; Therapharm Recherches, Caen, France
Additional Keppra XR Data Presented at 2008 AES Annual Meeting:
Poster Session 3, Monday, December 8, 8:00 am – 1:30 pm (Abstract 3.247)
Elisabeth Rouits, M. Lovern, Maria Laura Sargentini-Maier and Armel Stockis
UCB Pharma, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
Poster Session 3, Monday, December 8, 8:00 am – 1:30 pm (Abstract 3.25)
Rik Schoemaker, Eric Snoeck, Armel Stockis, Christian Otoul, Maria Laura Sargentini-Maier
Exprimo NV, Mechelen, Belgium; Pharmacometrics Depar™ent, UCB Pharma SA, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
Poster Session 3, Monday, December 8, 8:00 am – 1:30 (Abstract 3.263)
Ans Valgaeren, Nathalie Toublanc, Ingrid Burton, Sandrine Gelu-Mantoulet, Mona Troenaru, Christian Otoul, Maria Laura Sargentini-Maier, Armel Stockis
UCB Pharma SA, Braine-L'Alleud, Belgium; Depar™ent of Pharmacokinetics, SGS Life Science Services, Wavre, Belgium; Therapharm Recherches, Caen, France
Keppra XR cannot be substituted with any IR levetiracetam or any other antiepileptic medication at the pharmacy counter without a physician's approval.
Important Safety Information
Keppra XR™ extended-release tablets are indicated as adjunctive therapy in the trea™ent of partial onset seizures in patients 16 years of age and older with epilepsy.
Keppra XR™ causes somnolence, dizziness, and behavioral abnormalities. The most common adverse reactions observed with Keppra XR™ in combination with other AEDs were somnolence and irritability.
The adverse reactions that may be seen in patients receiving Keppra XR™ are expected to be similar to those seen in patients receiving immediate-release Keppra® tablets.
Keppra® immediate-release tablets cause somnolence and fatigue, coordination difficulties, and behavioral abnormalities (e.g., psychotic symptoms, suicidal ideation, and other abnormalities), as well as hematological abnormalities. In adults experiencing partial onset seizures, the most common adverse reactions observed with Keppra® in combination with other AEDs were somnolence, asthenia, infection and dizziness.
Keppra XR™ should be gradually withdrawn to minimize the potential of increased seizure frequency.
Dosing must be individualized according to the patient's renal function status. In patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis, it is recommended that immediate-release Keppra® be used instead of Keppra XR™.
For full prescribing information, please see www.KeppraXR.com .
In order to ensure patient access to this valuable medication in the U.S., UCB is initiating a co-pay support program. For more information, contact U.S. UCB Medical Information at 1-866-822-0068 (press 9).
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting approximately three million people in the U.S.—making it more common than multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease combined. It is caused by abnormal, excessive electrical discharges of the nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. Epilepsy is characterized by a tendency to have recurrent seizures and defined by two or more unprovoked seizures. There are many different seizure types and epileptic syndromes. Forty percent of patients taking only one AED continue to experience seizures, and approximately 30% of patients taking adjunctive therapy continue to experience seizures. This highlights the ongoing need for the development of new AEDs. For more information about epilepsy, visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org , www.epilepsy.com , or www.epilepsyadvocate.com .
About UCB
UCB is a global leader in the biopharmaceutical industry dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders. Employing approximately 12,000 people in more than 40 countries, UCB achieved revenue of 3.6 billion euro in 2007. UCB is listed on NYSE Euronext (symbol: UCB). Worldwide headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium; U.S. headquarters is located in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information about UCB, visit www.ucb-group.com .
Forward looking statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those that may be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, effects of future judicial decisions, changes in regulation, exchange rate fluctuations and hiring and retention of its employees.