Fycompa

Drug Overview

Fycompa (perampanel; Eisai) is a selective, non-competitive, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor antagonist that exhibits antiseizure activity by reducing glutamatergic signaling. Eisai has solely developed Fycompa and now markets it as a once-daily oral anticonvulsant for the adjunctive treatment of partial-onset and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Additionally, Eisai is seeking to expand Fycompa’s use to pediatric patients, and has previously conducted monotherapy studies and investigated the drug in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Analyst Outlook

Fycompa (perampanel; Eisai) looks set to address a key unmet need through the demonstration of efficacy in drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Approved in the US, EU, and Japan as an adjunctive treatment for partial-onset epilepsy and primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures, it also acts via a novel mechanism of action and has once-daily dosing. These factors, along with its ability to treat patients resistant to current pharmacological therapies, serve as key clinical differentiators for Fycompa. Given that it is competing for market share with multiple other anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) approved for refractory partial seizures and PGTC seizures in highly genericized and competitive markets, Eisai should continually seek to maximize its commercial opportunity with Fycompa by acquiring approval in additional indications.