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A drug being trialled for people with epilepsy is said to help reduce the most common type of seizure, known as focal-onset seizures, even in people already using currently available antiseizure medications.

Phase two of the trials compared a range of doses of the drug, called XEN1101, alongside placebo, in a total of 325 patients, finding a reduction in monthly seizure frequency of around 52.8% for those trialling the highest dose.

The trial was conducted over an 8-week treatment period, from 30 January 2019 to 2 September 2021, and included a 6-week safety follow-up. Adults experiencing four or more monthly FOSs while receiving stable treatment (1–3 antiseizure medications) were enrolled.

Patients were randomised to receive XEN1101 in 10, 20 or 25 mg doses (or placebo) as a once-daily adjunctive treatment in capsule formulation by mouth for the 8-week period. Due to the oral bioavailability of XEN1101 being enhanced by co-administration with food, patients were instructed to take the study medication with the evening meal.

According to the , the median per cent reduction from baseline in monthly FOS frequency was 33.2% for those consuming 10 mg doses, 46.4% for 20 mg, and 52.8% for 25 mg. This was compared to 18.2% for placebo.

The results of the study suggest potential for the further clinical development of XEN1101 for the treatment of FOSs, with authors highlighting the efficacy and safety findings of the clinical trial.

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