Eslicarbazepine, a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, co-developed by Bial-Portela, Eisai, and Sumitomo Pharma, was first prescribed at the West China Lecheng Hospital of Sichuan University late last month. This epilepsy therapy marks the first special novel drug program implemented through the “first pilot, first trial” policy of the Boao Lecheng Medical Tourism Pilot Zone and represents the first prescription in the hospital.
Approved in Europe and the US in 2009 and 2013, respectively, eslicarbazepine has demonstrated clear efficacy in the treatment of focal epileptic seizures, with a good safety and tolerability profile in previous clinical studies and overseas practices. The drug, which has not yet been approved in China, is included in the second batch of generic drugs encouraged for development in the country, with Yangtze River Pharma and Sihuan Pharma initiating development.- Flcube.com
