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eTNS Approved in Europe
Earlier this year, two ETP-supported projects, the Visualase MRI-Guided thermal laser ablation system for epilepsy surgery and the SmartWatch motion detector and caregiver notification device became available for patients with epilepsy. The ETP is now proud to announce that a third ETP-supported project has been formally approved in Europe. Approval in the United States is pending. ETP support is a 50-50 partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation.
Trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) for the treatment of epilepsy was originally developed at UCLA. In 2007, UCLA School of Medicine received a $167,000 New Therapy grant for a clinical trial of its innovative TNS system for intractable epilepsy. In 2010, the rights to it were exclusively licensed to NeuroSigma, a company based in Los Angeles, California. The good news is that the first of two NeuroSigma systems, the Monarch external Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) system has been approved in Europe. The Monarch is indicated as an adjunctive treatment of epilepsy and major depressive disorder for patients over 9 years of age, according to the announcement. The eTNS is a non-invasive stimulator of the forehead branches of the trigeminal nerve. Daily disposable patches are applied to the forehead and connected to a belt-worn pulse generator that delivers electric signals to the nerve. Users will typically wear it at night during sleep, although, depending on what their doctors say, they may choose to use it during their daily routines as well.
The trigeminal nerve is the largest cranial nerve, offering a high-bandwidth pathway for signals to enter the brain. The trigeminal nerve projects to specific areas of the brain which are involved in epilepsy, and other disorders. Imaging studies in humans confirm that eTNS activates or inhibits key brain regions implicated in these disorders—changes in the brain were often observed within minutes of therapy.
A second device, sTNS, uses small subcutaneous electrodes and an implantable pulse generator to stimulate the trigeminal nerve. Although the recently-approved eTNS is a stand-alone therapy, patients who respond well to eTNS may eventually opt for the implantable sTNS system, which NeuroSigma is currently developing.
See ETP's Epilepsy Therapy Pipeline for other therapies in development
The Epilepsy Therapy Project is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation dedicated to a singular focus: overcoming the funding gaps and roadblocks that slow the progress of new therapies from the lab to the patient. Epilepsy Therapy Project seeks to improve incentives and encourage commercial investment in new therapies. Acting as both a catalyst and clearing house for innovative research and the early commercialization of new therapies, the Epilepsy Therapy Project brings together financial resources, scientific insights and business expertise from leading academic and commercial industry participants.
Epilepsy Therapy Project has raised more than $6 million towards its mission.
The story of the Epilepsy Therapy Project, its founding in 2002 by parents of young children living with severe epilepsy, and the programs and therapies we have supported. Read more
Our MissionLearn about the Epilepsy Therapy Project's mission, and why we need your help. Read more
Who We AreTo invest your contributions effectively, we have assembled an outstanding staff and team of clinicians, researchers, and pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and finance industry advisors. These scientific and business advisory board members make funding decisions and provide support to advance the most promising new therapy projects. Meet our team
epilepsy.comEpilepsy.com is a dynamic online resource providing in-depth information and community for people living with epilepsy, and is the home of the Epilepsy Therapy Project. The mission of epilepsy.com is to inform and empower patients and families facing newly diagnosed epilepsy or those struggling with epilepsy that has resisted treatment. Read more
epilepsy.com professionalsAn online resource for healthcare professionals to learn about epilepsy and seizures, co-existing disorders, specialized populations, and diagnosis and treatment for epilepsy. Visit our site for daily research and medical news about epilepsy, commentary from leading voices in the field, and opinions on controversial topics surrounding epilepsy research and treatment. Read more
A Message from Our Chairman and Co-Founder
Keeping a promise, and with thanks and appreciation, Warren Lammert, Chairman and Co-Founder offers some highlights of the Epilepsy Therapy Project's important accomplishments and progress. Read more
Annual ReportReflecting on the year behind us, this report features some of the programs that are supported through your contributions. Read more
The Epilepsy Therapy Project supports innovative research in both academic and industry settings through direct grants and investments. Learn about our programs and how the Epilepsy Therapy Project is supporting research and helping to advance new therapies.
New Therapy - Commercialization Grants / Apply for Grant Funding
The New Therapy - Commercialization Grants Program is a unique partnership between two leading epilepsy non-profit organizations, the Epilepsy Therapy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation. The mission of the New Therapy - Commercialization Grants Program is to drive the development of new therapies for epilepsy, accelerating the advancement of research from the laboratory to the patient. Funding is provided to academic and commercial groups worldwide. The Program seeks to advance the development of new therapies including but not limited to medicines, biologics or devices. All proposals must demonstrate a clear path from the lab to the patient and are evaluated with consideration for their potential value to patients, likelihood of successful development including regulatory approval and the timeframe of development. The Program also encourages 1:1 matching grants to academic and commercial entities to support the commercialization of novel approaches to the treatment of epilepsy. Preference will be given to proposals that already have a commercial partner engaged to assist with development, and to proposals that have committed or matched funding from a sponsoring institution, commercial partner or other third party source. Read more
Funding Portfolio
The Epilepsy Therapy Project directly supports promising new therapies and emerging epilepsy focused companies through research awards and equity investments. Review the list of funded projects and investments in this section. Read more
Other Sources of Funding
View the list of additional funding sources here. Read more
Learn more about the Epilepsy Therapy Project's upcoming events!
Epilepsy Therapy Project's past events
PharmaVoice highlights the story of ETP Founder and Chair, Warren Lammert and his daughter, Sylvie, who has uncontrolled seizures. Sylvie inspired Warren, Sylvie’s mother Kathy, and colleagues to initiate the Epilepsy Therapy Project, to accelerate development of new therapies for epilepsy. Read the story
| Chairman's Corner | |
|---|---|
| A Job Well Done - Ode to Robert Fisher and Hearty Welcome to Joe Sirven | 10/04/2010 |
| Epilepsy Pipeline Wiki: Time to make it happen | 10/03/2010 |
| Don't miss Epilepsy Talk Radio or the new Epilepsy Diary | 4/25/2010 |
| Sylvie turns 13. Shadow of 2 seizures on that special day | 3/31/2010 |
| A Year in Review - Happy Holidays from the Epilepsy Therapy Project | 12/17/2009 |
| Our new "My Epilepsy Diary" is live... | 8/27/2009 |
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