Innovative treatment for canine epilepsy: European approval granted for Boehringer Ingelheim’s Pexion^®

Ingelheim, Germany, 2 April 2013 - Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has received EU wide marketing authorisation from the European Commission for Pexion^® (active ingredient: imepitoin), the first targeted treatment for canine epilepsy. Pexion^® is approved for reducing the frequency of seizures associated with idiopathic epilepsy.  

Epilepsy is the most common neurologic condition in dogs. It is estimated that up to 5 % of the canine population suffer from epilepsy1; most of these dogs have idiopathic epilepsy2. Epilepsy is not a cureable disease - managing it therefore requires a lifetime commitment by the dog owner.

Pexion^® has a favourable efficacy profile. In a European multi-center study 75 % of dogs treated with it had more than a 50 % reduction in seizure frequency3. It also demonstrated a superior safety profile compared to current standard treatment3. 

"Until now, the two most common treatments were sedatives that have been in use for more than 100 years", says Dr Joachim Hasenmaier, responsible for the Corporate Board Divisions Animal Health and Consumer Healthcare at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Therefore, we are very proud to provide a real innovation in this therapeutic area that significantly improves upon the current standard treatment.”

Pexion^® is not a sedative but rather targets the specific receptors in the brain responsible for causing seizures. “I was very impressed with the side effect difference between Pexion^® and the current standard treatment”, says Dr Kai Rentmeister, Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Neurology (DECVN) and clinical investigator for Pexion^® from Würzburg, Germany. The new product offers a treatment option that allows the dog and the dog owner to maintain an active life together, inspite of the disease.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is committed to fostering the health and well-being of mankind by promoting the emotional and physical benefits arising from the human animal bond.
It has been providing solutions for the prevention and treatment of diseases in animals for more than 50 years.

Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 145 affiliates and more than 44,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to act socially responsible. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim’s endeavors.

In 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 13.2 billion euro. R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 23.5% of its net sales.