Beyond Seizure Control in the Treatment of Epilepsy With New Anti-Epileptic Drug, Z...(patients with partial seizures do not ac...)

Furthermore, adverse events, such as lightheadedness (dizziness), somnolence, and cognitive slowing, are highly prevalent with existing anti-epileptic agents and may affect as many as 97% of patients.(15) Hence, there is a need for new anti-epileptic agents that offer effective reduction in seizure frequency combined with a favourable safety profile.

Epilepsy is characterised by abnormal firing of impulses from nerve cells in the brain. In partial-onset epilepsy, these bursts of electrical activity are initially focused in specific areas of the brain, but may become more generalised; the symptoms vary according to the affected areas. Nerve impulses are triggered via voltage-gated sodium channels in the nerve cell membrane.

About Zebinix(TM)

Zebinix(TM) is a novel voltage-gated sodium channel blocker that has been designed to reduce the frequency of partial-onset seizures when used in combination with other anti-epileptic drugs.

This treatment has the potential to offer a new therapeutic option for patients who continue to suffer partial seizures despite receiving other anti-epileptic agents, with the potential for additional benefits in terms of improvements in quality of life and depressive symptoms.2-11 BIAL submitted a marketing authorization application to the EMEA in March 2008. BIAL licensed the rights to commercialise eslicarbazepine acetate for the U.S. and Canadian markets to Sepracor Inc., a U.S., research-based pharmaceutical company that is currently preparing an NDA for submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

About BIAL

Founded in 1924, BIAL is an international pharmaceuticals group with products available in nearly 30 countries over four continents. BIAL group is the largest Portuguese pharmaceutical company and is b
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