Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACOR) today announced analyses from a
study showing the effect of rescue medication for seizure clusters on
both clinical outcomes and healthcare resource utilization. The study
found there were more adverse outcomes and greater use of healthcare
resources among those who did not always use a rescue medication to
treat seizure clusters, compared to those who always used a rescue
medication. Seizure clusters are defined as multiple, distinct seizures
that occur over a 24-hour period. These analyses were presented at the 69th
Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in Philadelphia, PA.
“These analyses suggest that rescue treatment of seizure clusters is
associated with prevention of additional seizure activity,” said Enrique
Carrazana, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Acorda. “There are currently
limited treatment options for people with epilepsy who experience
seizure clusters, and these analyses underscore the urgent need for new
treatments to improve outcomes.”
The poster, entitled “Association of Rescue Medication Use with Clinical
Outcomes and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Patients with Seizure
Clusters: A Retrospective Chart Review” (Poster 2.168), categorized
people into three groups: those who used a prescribed rescue medication
for every seizure cluster (Always Users), those who used medication for
some clusters (Sometimes Users), and those who never used a rescue
medication (Never Users). Researchers found that people who did not
always use a rescue medication (Sometimes Users and Never Users) were
more likely to experience adverse clinical outcomes and/or use more
healthcare resources, compared to those who used rescue medication for
every seizure cluster (Always Users).
“People who have a treatment plan in place and treat every seizure
cluster generally had better outcomes and needed to use fewer healthcare
resources, such as emergency room visits and inpatient admissions,” said
David Squillacote, Executive Medical Director for Acorda and study
author.
A second poster, “Demographics and Clinical Characteristics of Adult
Patients Experiencing Seizure Cluster: A Retrospective Chart Review”
(Poster 1.119), presented demographic and other patient characteristics.
Researchers found that the majority of these patients were male and only
31% used a seizure diary to monitor their seizure activity. The most
common comorbidities were depression and anxiety disorder, while the
most commonly reported seizure types were complex partial for partial
seizures and tonic-clonic for generalized seizures.
About Seizure Clusters
Of the approximately 2.8 million people in the United States with
epilepsy, it is estimated that about 175,000 experience seizure
clusters, also known as acute repetitive seizures or bouts of increased
seizure activity. These patients may experience seizure clusters even
though they generally are on stable regimens of antiepileptic
medications (AEDs). Many of these individuals do not find the currently
available outpatient therapy acceptable and default to emergency room
care or no care at all.
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that produces seizures affecting a
variety of mental and physical functions. Seizures are symptoms of
abnormal brain activity, and occur when a brief, strong surge of
electrical activity affects part or all of the brain.
About Acorda Therapeutics
Founded in 1995, Acorda
Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing
therapies that restore function and improve the lives of people with
neurological disorders.
Acorda markets three FDA-approved therapies, including AMPYRA®
(dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg. The Company has one of
the leading pipelines in the industry of novel neurological therapies.
Acorda is currently developing a number of clinical and preclinical
stage therapies. This pipeline addresses a range of disorders including
post-stroke walking deficits, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, heart
failure, MS and spinal cord injury.
For more information, please visit the Company’s website at: www.acorda.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All
statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding
management's expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects should be
considered forward-looking. These statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially,
including the ability to realize the benefits anticipated from the
Civitas transaction and to successfully integrate Civitas' operations
into our operations; our ability to successfully market and sell Ampyra
in the U.S.; third party payers (including governmental agencies) may
not reimburse for the use of Ampyra or our other products at acceptable
rates or at all and may impose restrictive prior authorization
requirements that limit or block prescriptions; the risk of unfavorable
results from future studies of Ampyra or from our other research and
development programs, including CVT-301, Plumiaz (diazepam) Nasal Spray,
or any other acquired or in-licensed programs; we may not be able to
complete development of, obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully
market CVT-301, Plumiaz, or any other products under development; we may
need to raise additional funds to finance our expanded operations and
may not be able to do so on acceptable terms; the occurrence of adverse
safety events with our products; delays in obtaining or failure to
obtain regulatory approval of or to successfully market Fampyra outside
of the U.S. and our dependence on our collaboration partner Biogen
International GmbH in connection therewith; competition; failure to
protect our intellectual property, to defend against the intellectual
property claims of others or to obtain third party intellectual property
licenses needed for the commercialization of our products; and, failure
to comply with regulatory requirements could result in adverse action by
regulatory agencies.
These and other risks are described in greater detail in Acorda
Therapeutics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Acorda may not actually achieve the goals or plans described in its
forward-looking statements, and investors should not place undue
reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements made in this
release are made only as of the date hereof, and Acorda disclaims any
intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a
result of developments occurring after the date of this release.
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