UCB Launches Dravet Syndrome Sound of Profound Moments: Family Video Project

• The Dravet syndrome community is invited to share videos highlighting the sounds of their everyday life with fewer seizures on FINTEPLA^® (fenfluramine).
• The project will display a gallery of videos featuring the sounds of profound seizure reduction to inspire hope and broaden connections within the Dravet syndrome community.
• Featured video submissions can be shared across social medial platforms.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UCB, Inc. (Euronext: UCB), a global biopharmaceutical company, is proud to announce the launch of the FINTEPLA^® Sound of Profound Moments: Family Video Project, to help amplify the voices and experiences of FINTEPLA families and loved ones living with Dravet syndrome who have experienced seizure-free moments. The campaign invites the Dravet syndrome community to share videos capturing their everyday moments in life possible with fewer seizures, showcasing the sounds of daily life, conversations and/or milestones that define their unique experience.

In a clinical study, FINTEPLA (0.7 mg/kg/day) reduced monthly seizures by 79% compared to 16% for patients taking a placebo on top of their current antiseizure plans. Results may vary. FINTEPLA is available only through a restricted distribution program called the FINTEPLA Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS).

Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy, presents significant challenges for patients, families, and caregivers, including multiple seizures per day and substantial developmental, motor, and behavioral impairments.¹ The FINTEPLA Sound of Profound Moments: Family Video Project encourages families to share their stories, aiming to honor the meaningful everyday moments possible with fewer seizures that make a big difference in the lives of those impacted by Dravet.

“Through the FINTEPLA Sound of Profound Moments: Family Video Project, we aim to shine a light on the moments of joy and connection that emerge with seizure reduction. We continue to be inspired by this amazingly resilient community and are humbled by their unwavering support and compassion. We believe in celebrating the unique sounds that symbolize each family’s journey,” said Ross Lu, Marketing Lead, Rare Syndromes, Epilepsy US. “At UCB, we are honored to stand alongside these families, amplifying their voices and inspiring others with these special moments and everyday triumphs, both big and small.”

“With seizure reduction, we can spend more time at the beach. Callie's able to have friends over. She goes to their house. She's thriving. And we are just so incredibly thankful,” said Darlene, mother and caregiver of Callie, who is living with Dravet syndrome. To learn more about the Sound of Profound Campaign and hear more FINTEPLA stories, visit Fintepla.com.

The FINTEPLA Sound of Profound Moments: Family Video Project is open only to residents of the U.S. Campaign details can be found at SoundofProfound.com:

Call for Video Entries:

• U.S. families with a child diagnosed with Dravet syndrome and a current prescription for FINTEPLA can visit the campaign website to submit a video.
• Upon accessing the campaign website, families will fill out a short registration form, which will take less than two minutes to complete.
• Each submission should consist of a brief (10-15 second) video capturing their family’s unique sound, accompanied by a short, written caption describing why this sound holds significance in their life with fewer seizures.
• All eligible submissions will be showcased in a video gallery on the campaign website, highlighting the stories of FINTEPLA families experiencing profound seizure reduction and celebrating these special moments. (View eligibility criteria here).

Sound of Profound Moments Gallery Viewing:

• Everyone is encouraged to explore, like and share featured videos from the video gallery to raise awareness for Dravet syndrome.

About Dravet Syndrome
Dravet syndrome is a rare, devastating and life-long form of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy that generally begins in infancy and is marked by frequent, treatment-resistant seizures, significant developmental, motor, and behavioral impairments, and an increased risk of mortality and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Most patients follow a course of developmental delay with cognitive, motor, and behavioral deficits that persist into adulthood. Dravet syndrome severely impacts quality of life for patients, families, and caregivers due to the high physical, emotional, caregiving, and financial burden associated with the disease.^1,2,3

About FINTEPLA^® (fenfluramine)⁴
FINTEPLA is indicated for the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome (DS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) in patients 2 years of age and older.

FINTEPLA is available only through a restricted distribution program called the FINTEPLA Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Further information is available at www.FinteplaREMS.com or by telephone at 1-877-964-3649.

INDICATION

• FINTEPLA is a prescription medicine used to treat seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older.
• It is not known if FINTEPLA is safe and effective in children less than 2 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

FINTEPLA can cause serious side effects, including:

1. Problems with the valves in the heart (valvular heart disease) and high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension) have been associated with fenfluramine, the active ingredient in FINTEPLA. Your healthcare provider will do a test called an echocardiogram to check your heart and to evaluate for high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs before you start taking FINTEPLA, again every 6 months during treatment, and one time 3 to 6 months after you take your last dose of FINTEPLA.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of these signs and symptoms of heart or lung problems during treatment with FINTEPLA:

• shortness of breath
• tiredness or weakness, especially with increased activity
• lightheadedness or fainting
• swollen ankles or feet
• chest pain
• sensations of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat (palpitations)
• irregular pulse
• bluish color of your lips and skin (cyanosis)

Because of the risk of heart valve problems (valvular heart disease) and high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension), FINTEPLA is only available through a restricted program called the FINTEPLA Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. Before you or your child receives FINTEPLA, your healthcare provider or pharmacist will make sure you understand how to take FINTEPLA safely. If you have any questions about FINTEPLA, ask your healthcare provider, visit www.FinteplaREMS.com, or call 1-877-964-3649.

2. Decreased appetite and decreased weight. Decreased appetite and decreased weight are both serious and common side effects of FINTEPLA in people with Dravet syndrome (DS) or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).

• Your weight should be checked regularly during your treatment with FINTEPLA.
• Your healthcare provider may need to make changes to your FINTEPLA dose if your weight decreases. In some cases, FINTEPLA may need to be stopped.

3. Sleepiness, sedation, and lack of energy (lethargy). These are both serious and common side effects of FINTEPLA in people with Dravet syndrome (DS) or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Taking FINTEPLA with central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may increase sleepiness. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how FINTEPLA affects you.

4. Like all other antiepileptic drugs, FINTEPLA may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people (about 1 in 500).

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

• thoughts about suicide or dying
• trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• attempts to commit suicide
• new or worse irritability
• new or worse depression
• acting aggressive, being angry or violent
• new or worse anxiety
• acting on dangerous impulses
• feeling agitate or restless
• an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
• panic attacks
• other unusual changes in behavior or mood

How can I watch for early symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions?

• Pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.
• Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled.

Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused by things other than medicines. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, your healthcare provider may check for other causes.

5. Do not stop taking FINTEPLA without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping a seizure medicine such as FINTEPLA can suddenly cause you to have seizures more often or seizures that do not stop (status epilepticus).

Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you are worried about symptoms.

Do not take FINTEPLA if you:

• are allergic to fenfluramine or any of the ingredients in FINTEPLA. See below for a complete list of ingredients in FINTEPLA.
• are taking or have stopped taking medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), serotonin agonists, or serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the last 14 days. This may cause a serious or life-threatening problem called serotonin syndrome. If you are not sure whether or not you are taking one of these medicines, contact your healthcare provider.

Before taking FINTEPLA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have heart problems
• have or have had weight loss
• have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior
• have kidney problems
• have liver problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking FINTEPLA. You and your healthcare provider will decide if you should take FINTEPLA while you are pregnant.
  • If you become pregnant while taking FINTEPLA, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or go to www.aedpregnancyregistry.org. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if FINTEPLA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking FINTEPLA.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take FINTEPLA?

• Read the Instructions for Use for information on the right way to use FINTEPLA.
• Take FINTEPLA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you how much FINTEPLA to take and when to take it.
• FINTEPLA may be taken with or without food.
• Measure your dose of FINTEPLA using the dosing syringe that is provided by the pharmacy. Do not use a household teaspoon or tablespoon.
• FINTEPLA can be given through gastric and nasogastric feeding tubes.

What should I avoid while taking FINTEPLA?

• Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how FINTEPLA affects you. FINTEPLA may cause you to feel sleepy.

What are the possible side effects of FINTEPLA?

FINTEPLA may cause serious side effects, including:

• See “FINTEPLA can cause serious side effects” above
  • Serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening problem that can happen in people taking FINTEPLA, especially if FINTEPLA is taken with certain other medicines including: anti-depressant medicines called SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs; tryptophan; lithium; antipsychotics; St. John’s Wort; Dextromethorphan; tramadol.
    Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome:
    • mental status changes such as seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), agitation, or coma
    • changes in blood pressure
    • tight muscles
    • fast heartbeat
    • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
    • high body temperature
    • trouble walking
  • High blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension is both a serious and common side effect. FINTEPLA can cause your blood pressure to increase even if you have never had high blood pressure before. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure while you are taking FINTEPLA.
  • Increased pressure in your eyes (glaucoma). Symptoms of glaucoma may include:
    • red eyes
    • seeing halos or bright colors around lights
    • nausea or vomiting
    • decreased vision
    • eye pain or discomfort
    • blurred vision

If you have any of these symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away.

• The most common side effects of FINTEPLA when used to treat Dravet syndrome (DS) include:
  • decreased appetite
  • diarrhea
  • low energy
  • respiratory infection
  • decreased weight
  • fever
  • constipation
  • abnormal echocardiogram
  • sleepiness
  • problems with movement, balance, and walking
  • increased drooling
  • increased blood pressure
  • vomiting
  • falls
  • seizures that do not stop
  • weakness
• The most common side effects of FINTEPLA when used to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) include:
  • diarrhea
  • tiredness
  • vomiting
  • sleepiness
  • decreased appetite

These are not all the possible side effects of FINTEPLA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1‑800‑FDA‑1088.

Keep FINTEPLA and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of FINTEPLA.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use FINTEPLA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give FINTEPLA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

What are the ingredients in FINTEPLA?
Active ingredient: fenfluramine hydrochloride
Inactive ingredients: cherry flavor, citric acid, ethylparaben, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylparaben, potassium citrate, sucralose, and water.

FINTEPLA contains no ingredient made from gluten-containing grain (wheat, barley, or rye) and contains no more than 0.1% of carbohydrates, which is from the cherry flavoring.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for additional Important Safety Information on FINTEPLA.

About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With approximately 9,000 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of €5.3 billion in 2023. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCBUSA.

Forward looking statements
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Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any of such forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labelling in any market, or at any particular time, nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be or will continue to be commercially successful in the future.

UCB is providing this information, including forward-looking statements, only as of the date of this press release. UCB expressly disclaims any duty to update any information contained in this press release, either to confirm the actual results or to report or reflect any change in its forward-looking statements with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless such statement is required pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.

Additionally, information contained in this document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

References

1. Dravet C. The Core Dravet Syndrome Phenotype. Epilepsia. 2011 Apr;52 Suppl 2:3-9. 2.
2. Dravet C. Dravet syndrome history. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2011 Apr;53 Suppl 2:1-6.
3. Wu YW, Sullivan J, McDaniel SS, et al. Incidence of Dravet Syndrome in the US Population. Pediatrics. 2015 Nov;136(5):e1310-1315.
4. FINTEPLA oral solution. U.S. Prescribing Information: Smyrna, GA: UCB, Inc.

FINTEPLA^® is a registered trademark of the UCB Group of Companies.
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