Zacks_Analysts' Blog : UCB's Vimpat Continues to Impress - Analyst Blog

UCB (UCBJF) recently reported positive top-line data from a mid-stage study on its antiepileptic drug Vimpat (lacosamide). The study was conducted to assess the safety of the drug when used as an adjunctive therapy for uncontrolled primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE).

The preliminary data from the study that enrolled 49 patients aged between 16 and 65 years with uncontrolled PGTC seizures and IGE, demonstrated that the drug was generally well tolerated.

Around the same time last month, UCB reported analyses of pooled data from open-label extensions of several phase II/III trials. The data analyzed the long-term effects of Vimpat as an adjunctive therapy for adults with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures. The data demonstrated that the drug was generally well-tolerated and led to decreased partial-onset seizures and consistent efficacy in patients undergoing open-label treatment for up to eight years.

The analyses also showed improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during long-term treatment with Vimpat. Specific areas of improvements, as voiced by patients, include seizure worry and social functioning. Patients also reported improvements in their overall health state.

We note that Vimpat is currently marketed as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults with epilepsy. We believe that these data will help boost the drug’s sales, which climbed 78% at constant exchange rates (CER) to €154 million in the first nine months of 2011.

We currently have a Zacks #3 Rank (short-term Hold rating) on UCB.