ATLANTA, May 26 /PRNewswire/ --

About Dr. Harold Kohn & Vimpat

Almost twenty years after discovering a new chemical compound that affects neurological systems, Harold Kohn, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, inventor of the recently FDA-approved Vimpat(R) (lacosamide)C-V, meets Veronica Crowe, whose life has changed significantly with the use of the drug. Dr. Kohn was moved to hear her story of perseverance, and Veronica was thrilled to thank the man whose discovery helped her achieve greater seizure control. Vimpat is now available as an add-on therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults 17 years and older with epilepsy.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090526/NY22568 )

The approval of Vimpat was based on safety and efficacy data from three pivotal trials with approximately 1,300 patients. In the studies, seizures were reduced by half or more for many patients taking Vimpat, and they experienced reductions in median seizure frequency at rates significantly greater than those in the placebo groups. Across these trials, some patients taking Vimpat at 200mg/day and 400mg/day were seizure free throughout the 12-week maintenance phase.

Vimpat demonstrated efficacy and tolerability when combined with a broad range of existing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

The most common adverse reactions occurring in greater than or equal to 10 percent of Vimpat-treated patients, and greater than placebo, were dizziness, headache, nausea, and diplopia.

About Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting approximately three million people in the U.S.

• Epilepsy can affect anyone at any time; it is a common neurological condition that can last a patient's entire life
• Less than half (47%) of patients with epilepsy will attain seizure control with their first AED
• More than 30% of patients will continue to experience seizures despite trying two or more AEDs
• Each year, epilepsy is diagnosed in 200,000 new patients, a number that is expected to rise as the population ages

Important Safety Information About Vimpat in the U.S.

Vimpat tablets are indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients with epilepsy who are 17 years and older. Vimpat injection is indicated as short-term replacement when oral administration is not feasible in these patients. Patients should be advised that Vimpat may cause dizziness, ataxia, and syncope. Caution is advised for patients with known cardiac conduction problems, who are taking drugs known to induce PR interval prolongation, or with severe cardiac disease. In patients with seizure disorders, Vimpat should be gradually withdrawn to minimize the potential of increased seizure frequency. Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with antiepileptic drugs. If this reaction is suspected, treatment with Vimpat should be discontinued.

AEDs increase the risk of suicidal behavior and ideation. Patients taking Vimpat should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.

The most common adverse reactions occurring in greater than or equal to 10 percent of Vimpat-treated patients, and greater than placebo, were dizziness, headache, nausea, and diplopia.

For more information, and prescribing information visit www.Vimpat.com or contact UCB at (800) 477-7877.

Vimpat(R) is a registered trademark under license from Harris FRC Corporation.

Further Information

    Andrea Levin, Public Relations Manager, CNS, UCB
    Phone: 770-970-8352
    Email: andrea.levin@ucb.com

    Sarah Handza, Cooney Waters Group
    Phone: 212-886-2206
    Email: shandza@cooneywaters.com

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders. Employing more than 10,000 people in over 40 countries, UCB achieved revenue of 3.6 billion Euro in 2008. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those that may be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, effects of future judicial decisions, changes in regulation, exchange rate fluctuations and hiring and retention of its employees.

SOURCE UCB

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.Vimpat.com