Epilepsy drug review: patent activity from 1999 to 2002

Abstract

This article summarises the patent activity in the anticonvulsant field for the period 1999 – 2002. Since numerous patents include treatment of epilepsy among their utility claims without direct supporting evidence, the authors have limited the discussion to applications which present efficacy data in one or more animal seizure models or to mechanisms of action for which there is ample literature evidence to support the claims. The various patents are grouped into common mechanistic themes, with additional sections provided for agents which resemble or are derived from known marketed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and for agents which act via unknown mechanisms. A summary of patenting trends and a discussion of the overall impact of patenting activity for this period are provided.

• anticonvulsant
• antiepileptic drug (AED)
• convulsions
• epilepsy
• patenting activity
• seizures