Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc. announced the publication of data in the journal Epilepsia from a preclinical study of PRAX-562, a preferential persistent sodium channel blocker currently in development for the potential treatment of rare adult cephalgias and Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEEs). This preclinical study investigated the effects of PRAX-562 on intrinsic neuronal excitability and protection from induced seizures as compared to sodium channel blockers used as standard-of-care antiepileptic treatments. In the study, PRAX-562 demonstrated robust preclinical antiseizure activity and significantly improved preclinical tolerability, with improved or comparable efficacy when evaluated against currently used sodium channel blockers.

The data demonstrate that by preferentially blocking persistent sodium current, PRAX-562 may represent a differentiated treatment option for disorders of hyperexcitability, such as DEEs, where standard sodium channel blockers are effective but poorly tolerated.