Sunovion's once-daily epilepsy drug Aptiom debuts in USA

USA-based Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Japanese drug major Dainippon Sumitomo (TYO: 4506), has launched its Aptiom (eslicarbazepine acetate), a once-daily antiepileptic drug (AED) indicated for use as adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures, is now available by prescription in pharmacies across the USA.

Aptiom, a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, is a new chemical entity approved by the US Food and Drug Administration late last year (The Pharma Letter November 9, 2013), and is available in four tablet strengths (200mg, 400mg, 600mg and 800mg), which can be taken whole or crushed, with or without food. Aptiom is not classified as a controlled substance by the FDA.

“The availability of APTIOM is a significant milestone for Sunovion. Aptiom not only marks our entry into the epilepsy therapeutic area, but also reinforces our commitment to improving the lives of people living with CNS disorders,” said Rick Russell, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Sunovion