Banzel/Inovelon(Eisai) is launched in Germany for LGS

Banzel/Inovelon(rufinamide), from Eisai, for treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) in children four years and older has been launched in Germany. The new formulation, an oral suspension for adjunctive (add-on) treatment of seizures, has been developed as a child friendly drinkable liquid to aid administration since many patients who receive it are children. "In addition, administration of suspension allows for individual titration in smaller steps to find the optimal dose for each patient" says Dr. Thomas Bast, Head of the Department of children and adolescents, Epilepsy Centre Kork, Kehl, Germany. The oral suspension is identical in preparation to the currently marketed rufinamide tablet on a milligram per milligram basis. Germany is the first country in Europe where the new suspension formulation will be available, followed shortly by Austria in April. The suspension formulation will be launched subsequently in other European countries. Rufinamide oral suspension received positive CHMP opinion in September 2011 and formal EMA approval was granted in November 2011. The preparation was approved by the FDA and launched in the US in March 2011.