Healthcare Industry News: UCB
News Release - August 2, 2006
FDA Approves Keppra(R) Intravenous Formulation
Brussels (BELGIUM) --(HSMN NewsFeed)--August 2, 2006 - 7:00 am CET - Today UCB announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Keppraź (levetiracetam) injection 500mg/5mL (100mg/mL) for use as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults with epilepsy. Keppraź injection is an alternative for patients when oral administration is temporarily not feasible; it must be diluted prior to use and administered as a 15-minute intravenous infusion.Troy Cox, President CNS Operations, UCB said 'This U.S. approval closely follows the European approval of the IV formulation for Keppraź earlier this year. Keppraź is now the only newer anti-epileptic drug available in the U.S. and Europe with both oral and intravenous formulations.'
In March 2006 the European Commission approved the use of Keppraź 100 mg/mL concentrate for solution for intravenous infusion for use as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation in adults and children four years of age and older with epilepsy.
About Keppraź in the US
Keppraź is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults and children 4 years of age and older with epilepsy. Keppraź is associated with the occurrence of central nervous system adverse events including somnolence and fatigue, behavioral abnormalities, as well as hematological abnormalities. In adults, Keppraź is also associated with coordination difficulties. In pediatric patients 4-16 years of age, the most common adverse events associated with Keppraź in combination with other anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) were somnolence, accidental injury, hostility, nervousness and asthenia. In adults, the most common adverse events associated with Keppraź in combination with other AEDs were somnolence, asthenia, infection and dizziness.
Keppraź is also available as an intravenous formulation for the adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults with epilepsy. Keppraź injection is an alternative for patients when oral administration is temporarily not feasible. The adverse events that may result from Keppraź injection use include all those associated with Keppraź tablets and oral solution.
For the U.S., prescribing information is available at www.keppra.com.
Please consult local prescribing information on Keppraź in Europe.
About UCB
UCB (www.ucb-group.com) is a leading global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialisation of innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in the fields of central nervous system disorders, allergy/respiratory diseases, immune and inflammatory disorders and oncology - UCB focuses on securing a leading position in severe disease categories. Employing over 8,300 people in 40 countries, UCB achieved revenue of 2.3 billion euro in 2005. UCB is listed on the Euronext Brussels Exchange. Worldwide headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium.
Inquiries, please contact:
Jean-Christophe Donck
Vice President
Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
Phone +32.2.559.9346
Email jc.donck@ucb-group.com
Reference
Ramael, S., Daoust, A., Otoul, C., Toublanc, N., Troenaru, M., Lu, Z. & Stockis, A. Levetiracetam intravenous infusion: a randomized placebo-controlled safety and pharmacokinetic study Epilepsia 47(7) : 1128-1135, 2006
Source: UCB
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