Keppra XR Extended-Release Tablets Filed with the FDA

UCB announced today that the New Drug Application (NDA) for the use of Keppra XR(TM) (levetiracetam) extended- release tablets in the adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures in adults with epilepsy has been accepted for filing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"This filing is another important step in the development of UCB's epilepsy franchise and demonstrates our commitment to bringing new and innovative therapies to the epilepsy community," said Iris Loew-Friedrich, MD, PhD, Global Head of Development, UCB Group. "There is an ongoing need for new antiepileptic drug options without the limitations of twice daily dosing. Epilepsy therapies with more convenient dosing schedules may help encourage greater patient compliance, which is important to effective seizure control."

The filing for Keppra XR(TM) is supported by a Phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of extended-release levetiracetam tablets (2x500 mg) once-daily as adjunctive therapy in 158 refractory epilepsy patients, 12 to 70 years of age, with partial onset seizures.

The study met its primary endpoint for seizure reduction over placebo during the treatment period (p=0.038). The median percent reduction of partial onset seizures in the extended-release levetiracetam group was 46.1% compared to 33.4% with placebo during the 12 week treatment period. Additionally, 24.0% of patients randomized to the extended-release levetiracetam group had seizure frequency per week reduced by 75-100%, compared with 11.4% of patients in the placebo group. In the extended-release levetiracetam group 10.1% of patients had 100% reduction in partial onset seizures and 8.9% were free from any type of seizure over the treatment period, compared to 2.5% and 1.3% in the placebo group, respectively.

The study also found that extended-release levetiracetam tablets were generally well tolerated. The most common reported adverse events that occurred more frequently in the extended-release levetiracetam group were somnolence, influenza, nausea, nasopharyngitis, irritability, and dizziness

(Article published on pharmalive)