Epilepsy | Special Topics | New Treatments in Epilepsy | US | 2020

More than two dozen antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are available in the United States, yet approximately one-third of epilepsy patients are refractory to AED treatment. Opportunity in this arena has spurred the development of a range of new AEDs targeting drug-resistant epilepsy, particularly highly refractory orphan pediatric subpopulations such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and acute repetitive seizures. In the past two years, six AEDs have been FDA-approved for refractory patients, and one more is on the near-term horizon. Understanding how prescribers perceive and plan to incorporate new brands in epilepsy is critical for developers facing a complicated, highly generic, and increasingly competitive market.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

• How do neurologists perceive the clinical profiles of recently launched and emerging brands?
• How do neurologists currently prescribe or plan to prescribe new brands? How will they be incorporated into the treatment algorithm?
• What are the top reasons why some neurologists do not prescribe or would refrain from prescribing recently launched or emerging brands?
• How will the availability of new brands impact current prescribing for the broad epilepsy population, as well as for niche epilepsy subpopulations?

Markets covered: United States.

Primary research: Survey of 98 U.S. neurologists.

Key companies: Aquestive Therapeutics, GW Pharmaceuticals, Neurelis, SK Biopharmaceuticals, UCB, Zogenix.

Key drugs: Epidiolex (CBD), Diacomit (stiripentol), Fintepla (fenfluramine), Xcopri (cenobamate), Nayzilam (intranasal midazolam), Libervant (buccal diazepam), Valtoco (intranasal diazepam).