Eisai has expanded its European operations, adding a neuroscience business unit to its Belgian and Luxembourg business.
The new unit will market the company’s epilepsy drug Fycompa (perampanel), which it has been giving a rolling launch across the region.
Dr Nicolas Kormoss, medical director for Belgium and Luxembourg at Eisai EMEA, said: “We are excited to announce the launch of our neuroscience capability in Belgium, which will provide greater access to our innovative portfolio of epilepsy treatments, including newly launched perampanel.”
The neuroscience unit will also be responsible for Inovelon (rufinamide), an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of epileptic seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) in patients 4 years and older.
Fycompa indicated for the adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures, with or without secondarily generalised seizures, in patients with epilepsy aged 12 years and older.
Eisai first introduced Fycompa in Europe in 2012 when it launched the drug in the UK – it has since been introduced in markets such as France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and, more problematically for Eisai, Germany.
Last week, the country’s Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) concluded that Fycompa offers no additional benefit over existing drugs on the market for the treatment of epilepsy and could only be reimbursed if it was priced at the same level as generics.
Eisai’s decision to expand its Belgium and Luxembourg operations comes after its recent Australian expansion, which saw the opening of an office in Melbourne.