Antiepileptic Drug and Device Trials (AEDD) XI Conference to Highlight Advances in the Treatment of Epilepsy

--Symposium Brings Together Industry, Investors, Scientific and Government Representatives to Advance Development of Drugs for Epilepsy--

MIDDLEBURG, Va., April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Epilepsy Therapy Project (ETP) today announced that a record number of emerging companies, industry executives, investors, scientific and government representatives will gather at the Antiepileptic Drug and Device Trials (AEDD) XI Conference to facilitate professional collaboration, funding and partnerships that will accelerate patient access to new epilepsy treatments.  The three-day AEDD conference will focus on issues related to antiepileptic drug development from preclinical discoveries through clinical evaluations with the final day devoted to showcasing the most promising epilepsy therapies in development.  The conference will take place April 27-29, 2011, at the Turnberry Isle Resort, Aventura (North Miami Beach), Florida. The conference is sponsored by the Epilepsy Study Consortium in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania Epilepsy Center and the Epilepsy Therapy Project.

"The Antiepileptic Drug and Device Trials conference has grown to attract an impressive audience and companies are recognizing the need for and promise in developing potential new therapeutics for epilepsy," said Jacqueline French, M.D., professor in the Department of Neurology NYU, in the comprehensive Epilepsy Center, and Director of the Clinical Trials Consortium; Vice President of Research for Epilepsy Therapy Project.  "The productive collaborations fostered by this forum have the potential to increase the pace in developing and commercializing these important new treatment options."

For additional information on the program or to register, please visit http://www.epilepsy.com/etp/aedtrialxi.  Qualified investors will receive complimentary registration.

In ETP's pipeline update, AEDD XI will feature a stellar line up of drug and device developers that have epilepsy therapies in development: UCB Pharma, Inc., Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eisai, Inc., Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc., Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals, Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Icagen, Inc., Novartis International AG, NeuroGenomeX, Medkura, Inc., Neuro Therapeutics Pharma, Inc., Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Partners, Inc., Neurologix, Inc., SK Life Science, Inc., Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and SynapCell, among others.  In addition, the conference will feature a dynamic panel discussion on the investment and business development view of the value of epilepsy indications.

"With more than three million patients in the U.S. alone, epilepsy affects as many people as breast cancer and almost as many as Alzheimer's disease. The need for more effective therapies is acutely felt by the millions who continue to have seizures and suffer from debilitating adverse effects, despite numerous available therapies," said Joyce Cramer, Chief Scientific Officer, Epilepsy Therapy Project.  "We are excited to see such a high caliber group of scientific and industry entrepreneurs collaborating on development strategies and investment in epilepsy and broader CNS therapeutic areas."

"This conference highlights the latest innovations in epilepsy, as well as notable investment and commercial opportunities in the CNS field," added Warren Lammert, ETP Founder and Chairman and father of a child with epilepsy. "Through AEDD XI we are creating a forum to drive innovation in the discovery and development of new treatments that we hope will ultimately benefit people with epilepsy and seizure disorders."

Conference highlights will be available on www.epilepsy.com.

About the Epilepsy Therapy Project

The Epilepsy Therapy Project is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to accelerate ideas into therapies for people living with epilepsy and seizures. Founded in 2002 by a group of parents, distinguished physicians, and researchers, the Epilepsy Therapy Project supports the commercialization of new therapies through direct grants and investments in promising academic and commercial projects. For more information about epilepsy, epilepsy treatment and the epilepsy pipeline, please visit our website, www.epilepsy.com or call 540.687.8077.  

SOURCE Epilepsy Therapy Project