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Evaluating Brivaracetam for Treating Childhood and Juvenile Absence Epilepsy

A Randomized, Dose-Finding and Confirmatory, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Multicenter Study With a 2 Stage Adaptive Design and Randomized Withdrawal to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Brivaracetam as Monotherapy in Patients 2 to 25 Years of Age With Childhood Absence Epilepsy or Juvenile Absence Epilepsy

Phase 3 Interventional UCB Pharma · NCT04666610

This study is testing if a medication called brivaracetam can help kids and young adults with absence epilepsy manage their seizures better than a placebo.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment160 (estimated)
Ages2 Years to 25 Years
SexAll
SponsorUCB Pharma Industry-sponsored
Locations53 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 52 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04666610 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of brivaracetam as a monotherapy in patients aged 2 to 25 years diagnosed with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) or juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE). Participants will either receive brivaracetam or a placebo, and the study will monitor their response to the treatment over time. The goal is to determine if brivaracetam can effectively manage absence seizures in this age group. The study will also evaluate the safety profile of the medication in these young patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children and young adults aged 2 to 25 years with a diagnosis of childhood or juvenile absence epilepsy.

Not a fit: Patients who have not been diagnosed with absence epilepsy or those who have previously received extensive antiepileptic drug treatment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide a new effective option for managing absence seizures in children and young adults.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with brivaracetam in treating epilepsy, indicating that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Study participant is 2 to 25 years of age inclusive, at the time of signing the informed consent. No study participants from 2 to \<4 years of age will be included in Stage 1
* Study participant is diagnosed with either childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) or juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE) as defined by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) criteria
* Study participants 2 to \<4 years of age and participants who had onset of absence seizures at an age younger than 4 years must have a negative glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1DS) genetic test
* Study participant is untreated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) or pretreated for absence seizures with a maximum of 2 historical AEDs, but without AED treatment for a period of at least 5 half-lives of the AED before randomization into this study. The UCB study physician should be consulted if in doubt
* Study participant has electroencephalogram (EEG) evidence of bilateral synchronous, symmetric generalized paroxysmal spike waves (2.5-6 hertz) with normal background activity and with at least 1 electrographically recorded seizure lasting 3 seconds or more on a 1-hour EEG with hyperventilation (HV) while awake at Visit 1 (V1), or on a historical EEG up to 12 weeks before enrollment
* Study participant has a history of clinically evident absence seizures occurring on at least 3 days per week in the 2 weeks prior to enrollment
* Study participant is without treatment with psychoactive drugs or on a stable dose for at least 2 weeks prior to randomization
* Study participant has normal neurological examination, head size, development and cognition
* Body weight is ≥9 kg
* Male and female

  a) A sexually active male study participant must agree to use contraception during the treatment period and for at least 2 days, corresponding to the time needed to eliminate study treatment, after the last dose of study treatment and refrain from donating sperm during this period b) A female study participant is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant, not breastfeeding, and at least 1 of the following conditions applies: The study participant is premenarchial OR A woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) who agrees to follow the contraceptive guidance during the treatment period and for at least 2 days after the last dose of study treatment, corresponding to the time needed to eliminate study treatment
* Study participant provides consent/assent, and the study participant's parent/legal representative/caregiver provides signed informed consent for minor study participants, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the informed consent form (ICF) and in this protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

* Study participant has a history of nonfebrile seizures other than absence seizures (eg, generalized tonic-clonic seizures or myoclonic seizures)
* Study participant has a history of absence status epilepticus
* Study participant has a history or presence of paroxysmal nonepileptic seizures
* Study participant has a clinically relevant electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormality in the opinion of the Principal Investigator
* Study participant has hepatic impairment (Child Pugh Score A, B, or C) based on the Investigator's assessment
* Study participant has a history of major psychiatric disease or any clinically significant medical condition that would preclude appropriate study participation
* Study participant has active suicidal ideation prior to study entry as indicated by a positive response ("Yes") to either Question 4 or Question 5 of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS; for study participants 6 years or older) or clinical judgement (for study participants younger than 6 years). The study participant should be referred immediately to a Mental Healthcare Professional
* Study participant has a lifetime history of suicide attempt (including an active attempt, interrupted attempt, or aborted attempt). The study participant should be immediately evaluated by a Mental Healthcare Professional to address safety concerns
* Study participant with known fructose intolerance or hypersensitivity of any of the ingredients in brivaracetam oral solution
* Study participant has end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis
* Concomitant use of rifampicin/rifampin; prior use must have been stopped at least 2 months before randomization
* Concomitant use of strong CYP2C19 inhibitors like fluconazole, fluoxetine and fluvoxamine, prior use must have been stopped at least 1 week before randomization
* Study participant has participated in another study of an investigational medicinal product (IMP; and/or an investigational device) within the previous 30 days prior to informed consent
* Study participant has clinical or EEG findings not consistent with a diagnosis of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) or juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE)

Where this trial is running

Birmingham, Alabama and 52 other locations

+3 more sites — see ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Childhood Absence EpilepsyJuvenile Absence EpilepsyBrivaracetamBriviactEpilepsyChildhood absence EpilepsyJuvenile absence epilepsyCAE
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.