Eisai launches epilepsy drug Zebinix in Sweden

Eisai has launched its epilepsy drug Zebinix in Sweden after securing full reimbursement from the country's health authorities.

The once-daily drug is approved in Europe as an adjunctive therapy for adults with partial onset seizures, with or without secondary generalisation.

This will put it into competition with more established treatments, like Pfizer's Lyrica (pregabalin) and UCB's Keppra (levetiracetam) and Vimpact (lacosamide) brands.

But with up to a third of epilepsy patients not achieving adequate seizure control after their first anti-epileptic medicine, Eisai will be hoping there's a need for additional treatment options.

Dr Sten Friberg, Nordic medical director for Eisai Europe, said: "Eisai is committed to bringing effective treatments to patients to help improve their quality of life, as displayed by our human health care mission.

“Studies have shown Zebinix to be effective in reducing seizure frequency and provide significant improvements to the patient's quality of life. The launch will provide patients in Sweden with an effective option to manage their seizures." 

Zebinix was approved in Europe in 2009 on the back of phase III trials showing it significantly reduced seizure frequency compared to placebo, while long-term safety and continuation of its effect was demonstrated in one-year open-label extensions of these studies.

Zebinix is one of three drugs Eisai markets in Europe, with the others including Zonegram (zonisamide), another epilepsy treatment.

Zebinix has had a rolling launch across the region, most recently entering the French market. The company also has another drug in the area, perampanel, which has been filed for European approval.