Praxis Precision Medicines has announced that its experimental drug for epilepsy, vormatrigine, failed to achieve the primary objective in a mid-to-late stage clinical trial. This outcome has prompted the company to halt enrollment in another ongoing study as it reevaluates its approach.

Study Details

The trial focused on adults with focal onset seizures (FOS), a type of epilepsy characterized by seizures that originate in a specific part of the brain. While the drug did not meet the main goal of reducing the frequency of monthly seizures, it did achieve a secondary goal. More patients experienced at least a 50% reduction in seizures, particularly during the latter half of the study when a higher 30 mg dose was administered.

The study assessed the safety and efficacy of vormatrigine in adults with FOS who were also taking one to three other anti-seizure medications. Despite the setback, the company noted that the reduction in seizures was more significant in the second half of the trial, suggesting potential benefits at higher doses.

Market Impact

Following the announcement, shares of Praxis Precision Medicines dropped by over 12% in extended trading. Analyst Yasmeen Rahimi from Piper Sandler commented that investors had not been optimistic about the drug’s prospects, and that pausing the enrollment in the second study was a prudent decision.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.