VIDEO: Zorevunersen significantly reduces seizures in Dravet syndrome

LOS ANGELES — Zorevunersen led to 75% to 80% seizure reduction in patients with Dravet syndrome, according to Barry S. Ticho, MD, PhD, FACC, chief medical officer of Stoke Therapeutics.

“This is notable, because there is no other antiseizure medication currently in the clinic that can achieve these disease-modifying effects,” Ticho told Healio at the American Epilepsy Society annual meeting.

An antisense oligonucleotide, zorevunersen (Stoke Therapeutics) is designed to restore normal functioning in nerve cells by increasing levels of NAV1.1 proteins, which ultimately reduces seizure occurrence and seizure-related comorbidities in patients with the rare neurologic condition.

Stoke commenced multiple studies examining intrathecal administration of zorevunersen in 81 patients with Dravet syndrome, many of whom were taking two or more antiseizure medications, ranging from single 10 mg doses to multiple 70 mg doses.

The greatest disease-modifying effect was demonstrated when administered at a 70 mg dose, Ticho said.

Treatment with zorevunersen was also well-tolerated and led to improved cognition and behavior within the first 9 months, he added.

Reference:

Ticho B, et al. Zorevunersen (STK-001) demonstrates potential for disease modification including reductions in seizures and improvements in cognition and behavior in children and adolescents with Dravet syndrome (DS).

Ticho B, et al. Patients with Dravet syndrome in open-label extension studies of zorevunersen (STK-001) have durable reductions in seizure frequency and clinically meaningful improvements in cognition and behavior.