Lacosamide for Fibro

Brussels based pharmamceutical company UCB last week announced positive initial results from their Phase IIa clinical trial with lacosamide to treat Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fibro).

This proof of concept trial was designed to establish whether there is justification for further clinical development of lacosamide for the treatment of Fibro. The randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of 400mg/day lacosamide tablets in patients suffering from signs and symptoms associated with fibro. The primary variable studied was a change in the average daily pain scores of participants from the baselines results to the last two weeks of the treatment phase. An 11-point Likert scale was used to measure the daily pain scores of the 158 participants, who generally tolerated lacosamide well.

According to the UCB information, the initial results of this Phase IIa clinical trial showed activity of lacosamide in Fibro but require further analysis. The decision to start Phase IIb will be made by the end of the year.

UCB, a biopharmaceutical company employing around 12,000 people in over 40 countries, is 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.