ATLANTA, March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A research
collaboration to analyze the clinical factors that impact epilepsy
care and outcomes was announced today by the Department of
Neurology at Emory University School of
Medicine and UCB, a leading biopharmaceutical company. This
work is part of an innovative research collaboration that seeks to
identify factors and approaches that achieve optimal response in
epilepsy patients.
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder defined as two or
more unprovoked seizures. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, epilepsy is one of the most common diseases
of the central nervous system, and it affects more than 2 million
people in the United States.
Importantly, one in 26 people in the United States will develop epilepsy at
some point in their lifetime. A recent special issue of
The Lancet highlighted the significant unmet medical needs
in epilepsy and called on public health officials to treat this
disease as a global health priority.
"This research collaboration is an opportunity to use real
world, patient-level data to address a critical need for the
epilepsy community," said study lead Sandra
Helmers, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Neurology and Pediatrics
at Emory. "Once we can identify the
most important drivers of epilepsy outcomes, we can address gaps
that exist today and provide better care for people living with
epilepsy."
This collaboration, which is modeled after similar academia and
industry drug discovery collaborations, focuses on real world
disease and subsequent clinical and economic health outcomes. In
the first project, investigators will use de-identified
patient-level data from an administrative claims database to better
understand characteristics of people living with epilepsy,
including demographics.
Dr. Helmers is joined by researchers Edward Faught, M.D., and David Thurman M.D., M.P.H., of the Emory University Department of Neurology. All
represent Emory on the research
collaboration's joint steering committee, which also includes three
members from UCB representing corporate affairs, health economics
and outcomes research, and medical affairs. The Rollins School of
Public Health Biostatistics Consulting Center, which specializes in
comprehensive statistical consultation and computational services,
will support the investigators in their analysis.
"UCB values an open innovation model where we can partner with
leading scientists and academic institutions to provide solutions
for the patients we serve," said Patty
Fritz, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Operations,
UCB, and joint steering committee member. "We are fortunate to be
working with epilepsy experts at nearby Emory
University on research that we hope will reveal new,
evidence-based opportunities to raise the standard of care in
epilepsy within a constantly evolving healthcare environment."
For Further Information
Andrea Levin, Associate Director,
Public Relations and Communications, UCB, Inc.
770.970.8352, Andrea.Levin@ucb.com
Kathi Baker, Associate Director,
Media Relations, Emory Healthcare
404.727.9371, kobaker@emory.edu
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting
approximately 65 million people worldwide and 2.3 million people in
the U.S.—making it more common than autism, cerebral palsy,
multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease combined. Anyone can
develop epilepsy; it occurs across all ages, races and genders and
is defined as two or more unprovoked seizures. More than 1 million
patients in the U.S. continue to have seizures despite initial
therapy.
About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium
(www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the
discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to
transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the
immune system or of the central nervous system. With 9,000 people
in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of
EUR 3.4 billion in 2012. UCB is
listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).
About UCB Research Collaborations
UCB has adopted an open innovation model in which internal and
external experts collaborate to address unmet needs for people
living with severe diseases of the immune system and the central
nervous system. As part of its commitment to raising the standard
of care for patients, UCB is building these long-term
collaborations and super networks with leading researchers and
institutions to use cutting-edge scientific research and technology
to deliver unique patient solutions.
About Emory The Robert W.
Woodruff Health Sciences Center of Emory
University is an academic health sciences center focused on
missions of teaching, research, health care, and public service.
Its components include Emory University School
of Medicine, Nell Hodgson Woodruff
School of Nursing, and Rollins School of Public Health;
Yerkes National Primate Research Center; Winship Cancer Institute;
and Emory Healthcare, the largest, most comprehensive health system
in Georgia. The Woodruff Health
Sciences Center has $2.8 billion in
operating expenditures, 22,356 employees (including 2,681 faculty),
1,550 affiliated faculty, 5,072 students and trainees, and a
$5.5 billion economic impact on metro
Atlanta.
Forward looking statements This press release contains
forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and
beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of
historical fact, are statements that could be deemed
forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues,
operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial
information, expected legal, political, regulatory or clinical
results and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance
3/3 and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which
could cause actual results to differ materially from those that may
be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this
press release. Important factors that could result in such
differences include: changes in general economic, business and
competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary
regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms, costs
associated with research and development, changes in the prospects
for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects
of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations,
product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for
products or product candidates, changes in laws or regulations,
exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in tax laws or
the administration of such laws and hiring and retention of its
employees. UCB is providing this information as of the date of this
press release and expressly disclaims any duty to update any
information contained in this press release, either to confirm the
actual results or to report a change in its expectations.
There is no guarantee that new product candidates in the
pipeline will progress to product approval or that new indications
for existing products will be developed and approved. Products or
potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint
ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to differences
between the partners. Also, UCB or others could discover safety,
side effects or manufacturing problems with its products after they
are marketed.
Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic
trends toward managed care and health care cost containment and the
reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as
legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and
reimbursement.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on
current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to be materially different from those that may be implied
by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
Important factors that could result in such differences include:
changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions,
effects of future judicial decisions, changes in regulation,
exchange rate fluctuations and hiring and retention of its
employees.
References
1. Epilepsy Foundation. About Epilepsy.
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/. Accessed
2/13/13.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report. Epilepsy in Adults and Access to Care –
United States, 2010.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6145a2.htm?s_cid=mm6145a2_w.
Accessed 2/13/13.
3. Hesdorffer, DC, G Logroscino, EKT Benn, N Katri, G Cascino,
and WA Hauser. 2011. "Estimating risk for developing epilepsy: A
population-based study in Rochester,
Minnesota." Neurology no. 76 (1):23-27.
4. The Lancet. "Wanted: a global campaign against epilepsy." The
Lancet no. 380 (9848):1121.
SOURCE UCB
