Epilepsy

Anti-convulsant

Epilepsy, one of the oldest conditions known to mankind, is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, transient seizures caused by a disturbance in the electrical activity of the central nervous system. According to the World Health Organization, up to 50 million people worldwide, equating to a prevalence of at least 50 per 100,000 of the general population will have epilepsy at any one time. While the condition can develop at any age, it is most often diagnosed before the age of 20 and after the age of 60. A clear understanding of the molecular basis of epilepsy remains elusive. Patients are treated with long term administration of antiepileptic drugs. It is important that such drugs provide seizure protection with minimal side-effects and drug interactions with other concurrently used drugs. Unfortunately, most currently available drugs are plagued with side effects which are at times severe. Further, approximately 30% of the patients suffering from epilepsy find that their seizures are not adequately controlled by existing drugs.

EndogenX, in conjunction with Midwestern University, has undertaken the development and testing of a novel series of compounds that are designed by altering the structures of existing antiepileptic agents. It is anticipated that these new compounds will offer pharmacokinetic advantages over existing drugs and be safe and effective in treating seizures, including refractory seizures. Some antiepileptic drugs require bioactivation and have to undergo chemical modifications in the body before producing an antiepileptic effect. Such drugs tend to express their effects erratically in patient populations that have genetic differences in the enzymes that may be required for the bioactivation process. The compounds under development do not require any prior bioactivation and are active as administered. At this point in time, the chemical synthesis, isolation, purification and structural characterization of important members of this new series have been completed, including testing the compounds for anticonvulsant activity in the rodent model. These novel compounds hold the promise to be potent anticonvulsants that will be safer, will offer pharmacokinetic advantages over existing drugs, and may be effective in the treatment of refractory seizures.

	Research		PreClinical		Clinical		Market
ENDG8010 Prevention/treatment