New subset analysis results with Fycompa (perampanel) show benefits in epilepsy- Eisai

Data at the International Epilepsy Congress in Istanbul show Fycompa (perampanel), from Eisai, may significantly reduce seizure frequency, both in patients with primary generalised tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures (seizure frequency was reduced 62.3% versus 31.7% placebo shown in a subset analysis of a recently published phase III study (332) in patients having PGTC seizures with idiopathic generalised epilepsy), and partial epilepsy (8.6% of patients were seizure free at six months shown in a retrospective analysis of Spanish data of 315 patients with partial-onset seizures).

For patients with PGTC seizures, an up-titration of perampanel over 4 weeks may reduce the number of PGTC seizures experienced by 62.3% versus placebo (31.7%), and higher perampanel exposure was associated with a greater probability of response. In a second study examining patients with partial-onset seizures, data shows perampanel increases response and retention rates when used as an adjunctive treatment.

In an interim update from a real-life study of 315 patients with partial onset seizures (POS) in Spain, at six months the retention rate was high at 79.4%, 8.6% of patients were seizure-free and 32.9% responded to treatment. Perampanel further reduced the frequency of secondary generalised seizures from 27.2% to 17.6%, and had significant effects in patients 65 or older and in patients that had tried five or more anti-epileptic drugs in this study.

Comment: Perampanel is well positioned to capture a decent share of the epilepsy market. Despite advances in treatment, the efficacy of current antiepileptic drugs remains limited, with approximately one third of patients continuing to suffer from uncontrolled seizures. As such, the demonstration of seizure reduction with perampanel as an add-on therapy in the difficult-to-treat drug-resistant epilepsy patient population is of critical importance.