Neurology

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition caused by an abnormal immune-mediated response directed towards the central nervous system (CNS). This causes damage to myelin, which is the protective layer around nerve fibres. People living with MS experience a wide range of symptoms. One of these symptoms is MS-related spasticity, which refers to a feeling of stiffness and a wide range of involuntary muscle spasms. The severity of MS-related spasticity may range from mild, such as tightness of muscles, through to severe, which can produce painful and uncontrollable spasms.

Chiesi Australia through its partnership with GW Pharmaceuticals, now part of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, have worked to provide Australian patients living with MS access to viable treatment options.    

Childhood Onset Epilepsy

Dravet Syndrome

Also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy in infancy, Dravet Syndrome (DS) is a rare, drug resistant epilepsy that begins in the first year of life in otherwise healthy infants.

In most cases, DS is attributed to the SCN1A mutation, where people experience persistent seizures in addition to other co-morbidities such as developmental delays¹.

A mortality rate of 15-20% has been reported for individuals with DS due to SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), prolonged seizures and seizure-related accidents that may cause drowning, and infections^2,3. Therefore, through independent partnerships with French-based pharmaceutical company Biocodex and UK-based GW Pharmaceuticals (part of the Jazz Pharmaceuticals company), Chiesi Australia has worked to make treatments available that support patients and their families living with DS. 

References

1. Wu 2015 (v0.1), E., et. al. Incidence of Dravet Syndrome in a US Population. Pediatrics 2015;136(5): 1310-e1315.
2. Cooper 2016 (v0.1), M.S., et. al. Mortality in Dravet Syndrome. Epilepsy Research 2016;26;128:43-47.
3. Skluzacek 2011 (v0.1), et. al. Dravet syndrome and parent associations: The IDEA League experience with comorbid conditions, mortality, management, adaptation, and grief. Epilepsia 2011;52 Suppl 2:95-101.

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) is a severe form of epilepsy that typically starts during early childhood.

People with LGS experience several different seizure types, which are difficult to treat. Due to the refractory nature of the disease (i.e., resistance to many kinds of antiseizure medications), children with LGS may also develop cognitive dysfunction, developmental delays, and behavioural problems.

Chiesi Australia with GW Pharmaceuticals (part of the Jazz Pharmaceuticals company) have worked in partnership to improve the lives of Australians living with LGS.