Angelini Pharma launches new crowd-sourcing challenge to fund innovative solutions to drug adherence and management of epilepsy
- Angelini Pharma will award $25,000, with the potential of further awards not less than $5,000
- By partnering with Wazoku, Angelini Pharma seeks to accelerate new solutions for better epilepsy adherence and management through the expertise and innovative spirit of their 700,000-strong network.
- Epilepsy is a heterogenous group of brain diseases that affects 50 million people worldwide[1] and anti-seizure medicine non-adherence among adult epilepsy patients range from 29 to 39% and is even lower in elderly and pediatric populations[2]
27 June 2024 – Angelini Pharma, part of the privately owned Angelini Industries, in partnership with Wazoku has launched a new crowdsourcing campaign to identify new innovative Drug Delivery Systems (DDS) and Treatments Approaches to significantly improve the lives of people with epilepsy, especially elderly and pediatric patients.
The challenge – New Drug Delivery Systems and Treatments for Improved Adherence and Better Management of Epilepsy – is the second partnership between Angelini Pharma and innovation scale-up Wazoku to identify innovative Drug Delivery Systems and Treatments. The challenge will be issued by Wazoku, tapping into the 700,000-strong network to identify how to improve already existing available ASMs (Anti Seizures Medications), and to propose new DDS and treatment approaches that utilize novel technologies.
Identifying new options to increase adherence is vital to the epilepsy community. While current epilepsy treatment options include approximately 30 antiseizure medications (ASMs) available in various pharmaceutical forms, there are limitations in terms of adherence and general management related to specific unmet needs such as age, comorbid conditions, and safety concerns.
“Approximately one third of people living with epilepsy face difficulties with anti-seizure medicine adherence and this is particularly challenging for elderly and pediatric populations. Non-adherence can result in several serious consequences, including breakthrough seizures[2]” said Rafal Kaminski, Chief Scientific Officer, Angelini Pharma. “This low adherence underscores the urgent need for more effective treatments that can better address the diverse needs of patients with epilepsy.”
Angelini Pharma researches, develops, and commercialises health solutions, focusing primarily on areas of brain health, including epilepsy. This is Angelini Pharma’s second Open Innovation Challenge with Wazoku, after a first challenge focused on New Digital Approaches to Target Discovery in Epilepsy, which concluded with a total of 28 solutions received and 4 selected to be awarded.
Open Innovation has been a hugely successful way of driving innovative solutions in the pharmaceutical sector. It has been used to accelerate drug discovery and development and helps companies navigate challenges such as rising operational costs, product shortages, and the talent vacuum.
“Open innovation is being used more and more in the pharmaceutical sector and its potential to deliver solutions to challenges is vast,” said Dino Ribic, Innovation Consultant, Wazoku. “We have already completed one successful campaign with Angelini Pharma and I await eagerly to see what is delivered this time.”
The Wazoku Crowd is a 700,000-strong network of expert problem ‘solvers’, comprised of scientists, pharmacists, engineers, PhD students, CEOs, start-ups, and business leaders. It has a success rate of 80%+ in solving more than 2,500 challenges, delivering more than 200,000 innovations in the process.
At least 1 Cash prize of $25,000 is available for New Drug Delivery Systems and Treatments for Improved Adherence and Better Management of Epilepsy, based on theoretical evaluation of the written proposals by Angelini Pharma. The challenge closes on 26th August 2024.
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is one of the most widespread neurological diseases in the world, affecting approximately 50 million people of all ages.[3] In Europe, approximately six million people are estimated to be living with this disease.[4] Epilepsy can have multiple potential causes, including genetics and other factors, though approximately half of cases worldwide do not have a known cause.[3]
The complications associated with epilepsy are severe, with a risk of premature mortality up to two times higher than the general population.[3] The recurrent seizures associated with this condition also have wide-ranging effects on a person’s broader physical and mental health, education and employment opportunities and other quality of life factors such as social relationships.[3]
Treatments are available to help reduce seizures and improve quality of life, and approximately 70% of people living with epilepsy are thought to be responsive to these treatments.[3]
[1] ILAE. Definition and Classification. Available at: https://www.ilae.org/guidelines/definition-and-classification [Accessed June 2024]
[2] Faught E, Duh MS, Weiner JR, Guérin A, Cunnington MC. Nonadherence to antiepileptic drugs and increased mortality: findings from the RANSOM Study. Neurology. 2008;71(20):1572-1578. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000334277.63240.16
[3] WHO. “Epilepsy Key Facts.” N.p., 9 Feb. 2023. Web. 24 Aug. 2023.
[4] Zarocostas J. BMJ 2010; 341 :c4756 doi:10.1136/bmj.c4756