Current state of the epilepsy drug and device pipeline

Abstract

The field of epilepsy has undergone substantial advances as we develop novel drugs and devices. Yet considerable challenges remain in developing broadly effective, well-tolerated treatments, but also precision treatments for rare epilepsies and seizure-monitoring devices. We summarize major recent and ongoing innovations in diagnostic and therapeutic products presented at the seventeenth Epilepsy Therapies & Diagnostics Development (ETDD) conference, which occurred May 31 to June 2, 2023, in Aventura, Florida. Therapeutics under development are targeting genetics, ion channels and other neurotransmitters, and many other potentially first-in-class interventions such as stem cells, glycogen metabolism, cholesterol, the gut microbiome, and novel modalities for delivering electrical neuromodulation.

Keywords: antiseizure medications; devices; epilepsy; pipeline; review; seizures.

Figure 1:. Epicranial Application of Stimulation Electrodes for Epilepsy (EASEE) leads.

These leads are implanted underneath the scalp above the epileptogenic focus and are connected via a cable under the skin to a pulse generator in the chest. This applies high-frequency direct stimulation every other minute and direct current stimulation for twenty minutes per day. Potential advantages of this device include being able to avoid intracranial surgery during implantation, and the device is easily removable and repositioned if needed.