Andrea Lobo, PhD,  science writer—

Health-related quality of life is low for parents of children with Dravet syndrome relative to the general public in Sweden, with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, along with poorer sleep, a study found. Higher levels of anxiety were reported among these women than among…

Lundbeck agreed to acquire the company developing bexicaserin, an investigational treatment for seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and other developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). Lundbeck will buy Longboard Pharmaceuticals for $60 a share in cash, or a total of about $2.6 billion, the companies announced. “Bexicaserin…

Longboard Pharmaceuticals has launched a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of bexicaserin, its investigational treatment for seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and other forms of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, known as DEEs. The worldwide study, dubbed DEEp SEA, expects to enroll about 160…

The Dravet Syndrome Foundation (DSF) is partnering with the Mason’s Movement Foundation to provide bereavement support to families who have lost someone to Dravet syndrome. The partnership connects bereaved families to a Mason’s Movement initiative called the Good Mourning Project, which provides resources, support, and remembrance items…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted breakthrough therapy designation to Longboard Pharmaceuticals‘ bexicaserin to treat seizures associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), including Dravet syndrome, in patients 2 and older. The designation is meant to accelerate the development and regulatory review of medications intended to…

Epidiolex (cannabidiol) can help to reduce seizure frequency in some adults with generalized or localized forms of epilepsy — including Dravet syndrome — that are resistant to other anti-seizures medications, according to a retrospective study in France. Among the 27% of patients who responded to this treatment, most…

Epygenix Therapeutics, the company developing EPX-100 (clemizole) as a potential add-on treatment for people with Dravet syndrome, has been acquired by Harmony Biosciences. “This acquisition builds on our leadership position in sleep/wake and our franchise in neurobehavioral disorders, allowing us to leverage our expertise in CNS…

Encoded Therapeutics has received clearance from U.S. and Australian regulatory agencies to launch Phase 1/2 clinical trials testing ETX101, its Dravet syndrome gene therapy candidate, in infants and young children with the seizure disorder. In the U.S., the company plans to begin ENDEAVOR (NCT05419492), which will be…

Adding Fintepla (fenfluramine) to anti-seizure treatment is associated with a more than five times higher chance of having a 50% decline in the frequency of Dravet syndrome-related seizures, a review of clinical trial data shows, Decreased appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss were among the noncardiovascular side effects…

Adopting a ketogenic diet — one low in carbohydrates and high in fat — safely and effectively reduces the frequency of seizures and improves cognitive function and behavior in children and adolescents with Dravet syndrome, according to a multicenter study in China. Nearly a third of patients were…