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| Dear UCB Colleagues, |
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I’m pleased to bring you a summary of the key insights
and takeaways from the 2025 American Academy of
Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting. Please note, the
information shared here is intended for internal use
only and should not be used in external discussions with
healthcare providers.
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With over 14,500 neurology professionals from across
North America and beyond in attendance, AAN remains a
premier event in our field—and a critical opportunity for us
to track emerging neuroscience, clinical trends, and
portfolio clinical pipelines. This year’s congress was
especially exciting, with numerous sessions highlighting
advances in various seizure disorders, rare neurological
diseases, and innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Our presence at AAN 2025 was robust and
impactful—thank you to all onsite team members for
representing us so effectively and special
acknowledgments for our MSLs, Kameron Azarm and
Mona Smith. Your engagements contributed to a highly
successful participation. We continue to monitor and
assess scientific findings and themes within our
therapeutic area focus so that we are able to clearly
communicate the distinct value of our product portfolios,
and their differentiated benefits for patients and providers.
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Let’s keep the momentum going and continue
collaborating across teams to ensure our messaging,
strategy, and scientific leadership are top of mind in this
evolving landscape.
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Thank you again for your dedication and contributions.
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Kind regards,
Dilnaz Hassan, MD
Medical Enablement Lead /
Medical Affairs
US Neurology Epilepsy & Rare Syndromes
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>14500
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AAN attendees |
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110
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Countries |
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102
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UCB attendees across entire organization (US and Global both RDO/EaRs) |
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22
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UCB Neurology & Rare Syndromes attendees across entire organization (US and Global) |
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10
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UCB Neurology & Rare Syndromes medical attendees across entire organization (US and Global) |
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2
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Industry Therapeutic Area Updates (Symposiums/Panel Discussions) |
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127
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HCP attendees |
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~30
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Unique HCP Engagements/Interactions (including FFA GSEP Dinner led by MSLs) |
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15
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UCB Scientific Poster Presentations |
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2
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UCB Selected Scientific Poster Oral Podium Presentations (of the 15 total) |
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118
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QR Codes Scanned |
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34
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Relevant Scientific Sessions (seminars, hubs, courses, scientific poster sessions) |
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237
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Total Epilepsy-related Abstracts Presented |
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25
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High-priority Sessions Covered by Medical |
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26
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High-priority Posters Covered by Medical |
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Pictured above: Oral Presentation by Almasa Bass, PharmD
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Pictured above: Earlier Identification and Treatment of
Patients with a DEE: Taking a Close Look at LGS ITU
attendees. L-R: Michael Chez, MD, FAAN, FAES;
Dilnaz Hassan, MD; Heidi Henninger, MD, FAAN;
David Burdette, MD, FACNS; Rebecca Burns, PharmD
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Pictured above: Rethinking Seizure Emergencies: Expert
Perspectives on a New Paradigm. Top L-R: Hugo Xi, MD;
Dilnaz Hassan, MD; Kamil Detyniecki, MD; Sheryl Haut, MD;
Marc De Backer, MD; Cedric Laloyaux, PhD
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Epilepsy content was notable, in posters and educational sessions. Some key topics
noted were focused on neonatal/pediatric EEG, ASM pharmacology, decision making in
acute seizure management, and general updates in the epilepsy treatment landscape.
Specifically, there was mention of FFA pro-cognitive effects and efficacy in DS
considered quite remarkable. The mention of "STAP" and "REST" were observed to be
spontaneously mentioned in other sessions (3 at the minimum) showcasing the interest
and traction this topic is gaining from the external community. UCB sessions content
highlighted LGS Diagnosis, FFA clinical experience and MOA, and the REST consensus
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Primary epilepsy competitor activities were from Lundbeck with the platform
presentation of bexi Ph1b/2a OLE and Neurelis’ posters on DZP-NS as a potential REST
medication
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Competitor presence was strong, and many companies that are pipeline manufacturers
were well represented with prominent medical booth space that provided overviews of
their entire Neurology product portfolios, with all disease states represented. This type
of comprehensive presentation was a running theme. Additionally, many different
examples of innovative educational content were available, including VR experiences,
MOA videos, and pipeline presentations of data by HCPs (eg, Praxis)
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LGS
diagnosis
takeaways
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- Dx section focused on electroclinical features of LGS and showcased REST-LGS tool
- Discussed the importance of referral
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Discussed primary concerns of parents/caregivers of patients with LGS,
highlighting the balance of priorities – reducing seizures balanced with
patient alertness/cognition/awakeness
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LGS
treatment
takeaways
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- Provided timeline of FDA approvals for LGS treatments
- Highlighted these treatments as broad-spectrum to be able to target the heterogeneity of seizures in LGS
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Key
insights
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We received KSH feedback that the most valuable portion of the
presentation was the discussion of LGS patient referral. They believe
that many of the gaps in effective LGS diagnosis and care originate
from the general neurologist caring for the patient for ‘too long’ and
not appropriately tracking patient medical history. There is opportunity
to continue educating on the importance of early referral in LGS care,
to mitigate delayed effective diagnosis and treatment
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SAP
takeaways
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- Reviewed examples of SAP from EF website and Penovich publication
- Discussed clinical and economic risks of prolonged seizures
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REST/ACT
consensus
and
treatment
takeaways
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- Discussed consensus definitions of REST and ACT, and audience was aligned via polling
- Discussion around current off-label use of cluster rescue medications for prolonged seizures
- During Q&A, discussion regarding STAP and the ongoing Phase 3 trial
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Key
insights
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- KSH feedback was that they appreciated the comprehensive snapshot of seizure emergencies
- Questions regarding Seizure Action Plans (SAPs)
- One KSH was surprised that ‘prolonged seizures’ were not part of the nasal sprays’ current indication
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Disruptive Impacts of Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies on Patient and Family Life: A Quality-of-Life Survey
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- Authors: Martin M, Bailey LD, Dixon-Salazar T, Meskis MA, Manzo AM, Lothe A, Wilkinson A
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Experiences of Women of Childbearing Age with Epilepsy Throughout their Motherhood Journey: Results From a Social Media Listening Study
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- Authors: Manzo M, Baker GA, Koncz A, Shell M, Werhahn KJ, Wilkinson A, Smith JK, Bourikas D
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Impact of Prolonged Seizures on Patients’ and Caregivers’ Quality of Life
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- Authors: Kaye D, Manzo M, Wilkinson A, Laloyaux C, Burns R, Pina-Garza JE, Sirven JI, Bhatia T, Cunneen S, Meitzler S, Linn S
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Sleep Apnea is Associated with High Mortality Risk in Children with Severe Epilepsies: Observational Analysis from Large Scale US Claims Data (ORAL SELECTION)
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- Authors: Dedeurwaerdere S, Lloyd D, Davis A, McLinden M, Van Zÿl J, Lothe A, Clark C
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Interim results of the US fenfluramine oral solution cardiovascular safety registry study (ORAL SELECTION)
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- Authors: Bass A, Morita D, Shepherd-Smith J, Zhang-Roper R, Gitelson A, Tselenti E, Lothe A, Roberts J, Nayak N
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Safety and Effectiveness of Fenfluramine for the Treatment of Seizures in Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome: Results From the Final Analysis of the Open-Label Extension Study
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- Authors: Knupp KG, Scheffer IE, Ceulemans B, Sullivan J, Nickels K, Lagae L, Guerrini R, Zuberi SM, Nabbout R, Riney K, Lock M, Dai D, Davis R, Morita D, Lothe A, Langlois M, Zhang-Roper R, Minh T, Gil-Nagel A
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Impact of Fenfluramine on Convulsive Seizure Frequency in Dose-Capped Patients With Dravet Syndrome
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- Authors: Nabbout R, Knupp KG, Lagae L, Cross JH, Sullivan J, Gil-Nagel A, Guerrini R, Strzelczyk A, Langlois M, Healy P, Lothe A, Scheffer IE
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A Stratified Analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Fenfluramine in Patients With Dravet Syndrome
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- Authors: Nabbout R, Sullivan J, Auvin S, Ceulemans B, Cross JH, Devinsky O, Gil-Nagel A, Guerrini R, Knupp KG, Perry MS, Sanchez-Carpintero R, Scheffer IE, Specchio N, Strzelczyk A, Wheless J, Wirrell EC, Morita D, Langlois M, Healy P, Lothe A, Lagae L
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Understanding Incidence, Prevalence, Characteristics, and Healthcare Resource Utilization for Patients With Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut Syndromes
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- Authors: Ameen R, Sullivan J, Wirrell EC, Boehme A, Zhang-Roper R, Healy P, Lothe A, Kerr WT
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A retrospective claims study evaluating mortality in patients with Lennox-Gastaut or Dravet syndrome in the United States
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- Authors: Ameen R, Wirrell EC, Sullivan J, Zuroske T, Grochowski D, Gupta S, Zhang-Roper R, Lothe A, Kerr WT
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Long-term Tolerability and Efficacy of Adjunctive Brivaracetam in Pediatric Patients with Primary Generalized Seizures: Subgroup Analysis of an Open-label, Follow-up Trial
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- Authors: Lagae L, de la Loge C, Elmoufti S, Elshoff JP, Moseley B, Pucylowski K, Bourikas D
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Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy of Fenfluramine in Combination With Cannabidiol: Results From a Phase 1 Study
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- Authors: Zhang-Roper R, Mittur A, Boyd B, Langlois M, Evans S, Morita D, Phillips S
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Inhalation as an Efficient Delivery Route of Alprazolam for the Treatment of Acute Seizures: Randomized Study of Staccato® Alprazolam Compared to Oral Alprazolam
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- Authors: Goldwater R, Daniels T, Ford A, King A, Laloyaux C, Chanteux H
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Real-world Use of Fenfluramine for Dravet Syndrome: a Retrospective Cohort Study Using a National Pharmacy Database
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- Authors: Lhatoo SD, Kerr WT, Wirrell EC, Donner E, Sullivan J, Guerrini R, Scheffer IE, Rheims S, Cross JH, Lagae L, Ryvlin P, Gil-Nagel A, Noebels JL, Roberts J, Lothe A, Tryfon M, Rañopa M, Devinsky O
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Brivaracetam Monotherapy Patient Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Healthcare Resource Utilization Among Patients With Epilepsy: A Cohort Study Using US Claims Data
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- Authors: Numbere B, Besson H, Kuba A, Bourikas D, Pucylowski K, Little A, Moseley B
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 Poster Sessions  Oral Presentations
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The UCB Post AAN 2025 Newsletter
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CONFIDENTIAL. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY AND NOT TO BE DOWNLOADED OR SAVED.
DO NOT DISTRIBUTE OR USE FOR DISCUSSIONS EXTERNALLY.
©2025 UCB, Inc. Smyrna, GA 30080. All rights reserved.
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