1. Research Overview Jacqueline French, MD Chief Scientific Officer
Epilepsy Foundation

2. Unmet Need
30% of people living with epilepsy do not have seizure control
Number has not changed in decades despite 15+ drugs/devices entering the market since the 1990s
We need to funnel new ideas into the clinical pipeline
Epilepsy Foundation Research Overview

3. Epilepsy Foundation Response
To develop an epilepsy
research ecosystem for excellence, innovation, radical thinking and exciting discoveries to end epilepsy
Epilepsy Foundation Research Overview

4. POST-APPROVAL RESEARCH & MONITORING
Our Investments Along the Pipeline
Basic
Research
DRUG DISCOVERY
FDA
REVIEW
POST-APPROVAL RESEARCH & MONITORING
PRE -CLINICAL
CLINICAL TRIALS
My Seizure Diary
Trial Portal
Registry Cohorts
Epilepsy Foundation Research Overview

5. New Research Program Launched
ENGAGE
IMAGINE
IMPLEMENT
New Research Program Launched

6. Our Process Structure of Epilepsy Innovation Institute
Epilepsy Foundation Research Overview

7. Unpredictability Community Survey 2016
What aspects of epilepsy impact people the most?
Where should researchers focus?
What is your biggest frustration with epilepsy?
What is your biggest hope for epilepsy in next 5 years?
Unpredictability
Epilepsy Foundation Research Overview

8. Early Warning Seizure Detection System
2017 Topic My Seizure Gauge
Early Warning Seizure Detection System
Epilepsy Foundation Research Overview

9. Epilepsy Research AT The National Institutes of Health
Brandy Fureman, PhD
VP Research & New Therapies
Epilepsy Foundation

10. NIH FUNDING COMPRISES THE MAJORITY OF FUNDING FOR EPILEPSY RESEARCH
Source: Interagency Collaboration to Advance Research in Epilepsy (iCARE).
National Institutes of Health Research

11. NIH Research Priorities for Grants
2014 Benchmarks for Epilepsy Research
Understand the causes of the epilepsies and epilepsy-related neurologic, psychiatric and somatic conditions
Prevent epilepsy and its progression
Improve treatment options for controlling seizures and epilepsy-related conditions without side effects
Limit or prevent adverse consequences of seizures and their treatment across the lifespan
National Institutes of Health Research

12. NIH Epilepsy Research Programs
Center Without Walls: Encouraging Global Collaborative Networks for Research
2010 – Established the Epi4K Consortia: Sequence at least 4000 people living with epilepsy
20 NEW genes discovered in 2016 alone
Expanded to Epi25 (international effort)
2014 – Established Center for SUDEP Research
Focused on preventing and risk-identification
2017 – Established EPIBios4RX: Epilepsy Bioinformatics Study to study epilepsy in patients with traumatic brain injuries
National Institutes of Health Research

13. NIH Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program
Encouraging Drug Discovery
Mission: to encourage and facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic agents for the treatment of epilepsy disorders.
Researchers & Industry can submit compounds for drug screening (for free)
Compounds are tested for anti-seizure activity on a battery of well-established seizures animal models
Several FDA approved drugs (i.e. Felbamate, Toprimate, Lacosamide, and Retigabine) went through this screening process
National Institutes of Health Research

14. NIH Active Clinical Trials
Studies to Improve Quality of Care
Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ESETT)
Comparing effectiveness of 3 anticonvulsant medications who have failed first line of therapy
Maternal Outcomes and Neurodevelopmental Effects of Anti-epileptic Drugs (MONEAD)
Following women with epilepsy during pregnancy to improve maternal and child outcomes
Febrile Status Epilepticus (FEBSTAT)
Following children with febrile studies to understand who is at increased risk for epilepsy
National Institutes of Health Research

15. Other NIH Initiatives
Other Research Which Can Impact Epilepsy Research
Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN)
All of US Initiative (Precision Medicine)
National Institutes of Health Research

16. Advancements in Research from the past 5 years
Discussion:
Advancements in Research from the past 5 years
Jackie French, MD – Chief Scientific Officer
Brandy Fureman, PhD – VP of Research & New Therapies
Moderator: Sonya Dumanis, PhD – Director of Innovation Institute