Bial and Eisai reveal positive data on Zebinix in epilepsy

Positive results from a Phase III study in adult patients with newly-diagnosed partial-onset seizures, sponsored by Portugal’s largest drugmaker Bial, show that treatment with once daily Zebinix (eslicarbazepine acetate) monotherapy is as effective as twice daily controlled-release carbamazepine, a standard of care, and is well-tolerated.

The results were presented at the American Academy of Neurology (ANN) annual meeting.

Eslicarbazepine acetate is currently indicated in Europe as adjunctive therapy in adults with partial onset seizures, with or without secondary generalization.European marketing rights to Zebinix are vested with a subsidiary of Japanese drug major Eisai (TYO: 4523). It is sold in the USA and Canada under the trade name Aptiom by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Japanese pharma major Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma (TYO; 4506).