On March 13, 2008, “The Epilepsy Pipeline Conference: Portal into CNS Opportunity” will be held in San Francisco. Sponsored by the Epilepsy Therapy Project (ETP), the day-long meeting will focus on drug development strategies, investing, and business development opportunities. Because exciting scientific advances are being made in new treatments for epilepsy, ETP Chairman and Co-founder Warren Lammert encourages patients and their families to attend this important conference, and to join the effort of accelerating the development of new therapies for epilepsy.

There is a range of new therapy initiatives that have the opportunity to benefit the majority of epilepsy patients who now live with either continuing seizures or unacceptable side-effects. Attendees will hear insights from scientific, academic, clinical and industry leaders on making informed decisions about investment in epilepsy therapy development and broader CNS areas and markets.

What is the portal meeting?

This portal meeting is an in-depth, one-day forum where emerging CNS companies and scientific entrepreneurs will present their strategies, product candidates and development programs to potential venture capital, private equity, pharma and biotech investors and partners. Hand-selected by the Scientific and Business Advisory Boards of Epilepsy Therapy Project, presenters will cover the most innovative and intriguing therapeutic targets and candidates in development today for epilepsy with potential to be exploited for broader CNS development.

ETP President Outlines Benefits

Joyce Cramer, President of the ETP, said: “We are always looking for fresh ideas by working with scientists to help them expand their ideas by providing grants and introducing them to investors who can support development of new drugs and devices to stop or prevent seizures. That’s why we organized a conference to showcase the ‘business value’ of developing new epilepsy treatments.”

She also noted, “The conference will show patients and families what we at ETP are doing to speed development of new therapies. Attendees will have an intensive experience listening to a series of presentations about new developments by epilepsy researchers as well as panelists discussing important issues about what is needed to develop drugs and devices. Registrants will see, first-hand, how donations to ETP are put to work with grants to get scientists started. Donations to help sponsor the conference also further our mission.”

Building Capabilities to Support Research

Members of the Epilepsy Therapy Project noted that meetings with academics and industry participants have reinforced the reality that large pharmaceutical companies are moving away from innovating new epilepsy treatments. The university labs and smaller companies, who are investing in new therapies, very much need both financial support and the development expertise resident in the ETP scientific and business advisory boards.

In line with the mission of the ETP, to advance new treatments for everyone living with epilepsy, this is an opportunity to build capabilities to support the research and development community.

To learn more about this conference, please go to: ETP Epilepsy Pipeline Conference

Edited by Steven C. Schachter, MD