18 August 2006

BRUSSELS — Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB said on Friday that the European Union's regulatory authorities had given the green light for its Keppra drug, designed to help newly diagnosed epilepsy patients in Europe with partial onset seizures. 

This European Commission cleared the use of Keppra as monotherapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures.

"The monotherapy approval is a major milestone for Keppra and for UCB," said Troy Cox, President CNS Operations, UCB.

"It reflects the wealth of clinical and scientific research that supports the expanding role of Keppra in epilepsy management and UCB in its commitment to improving the lives of epilepsy patients." 

Levetiracetam — marketed under the trade name Keppra — is an anti-convulsant medication used to treat epilepsy and also sometimes used to treat neuropathic pain.

The drug is controversial as side effects include ataxia (sudden loss of balance), hair loss, pins and needles sensation in the extremities, psychiatric symptoms ranging from irritability to depression plus headaches and nausea.

UCB, founded in 1928 by Belgian businessman Emmanuel Janssen, initially focused on industrial chemicals.

Over the years, it has developed medicines such as the anxiety reducing Atarax, anti-histamine drug Xyzal, anti-allergy drug Zyrtec, and the Nootropil drug used to treat memory and balance problems.

The success of Nootropil made it possible for UCB to build a modern pharmaceutical site in Braine-l'Alleud.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Subject: Belgian news