
FAQs
General FAQs for the Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE) Studies
DEE refers to a group of epilepsies that are characterized by both seizures and encephalopathy, which is a term used to describe developmental delay or loss of developmental skills.
What are the three studies offered for patients with DEE?
The current DEE studies being conducted by Praxis Precision Medicines are EMBOLD (relutrigine), EMBRAVE 3 (elsunersen), and EMERALD (relutrigine).
How will I know which study my child might qualify for?
After you complete the prescreening questions, our system will generate the study or studies your child is prequalified for. You will then be asked to schedule a call to speak with a nurse navigator who will ask further questions to determine if your child is a candidate to be referred to one of our study sites.
What counts as a motor seizure?
A motor seizure occurs when you notice any sudden, uncontrolled movements like jerking or stiffening of the body or any drooping of the body.
What does a double-blind study mean?
A double-blind study means neither you nor the doctors know if your child is receiving the investigational medication or a placebo. This helps keep the results fair and unbiased.
What is a placebo?
A placebo is something that looks like real medication but doesn’t have any active ingredients in it. It will not harm your child. It’s used in research to help understand how well an investigational medicine or treatment works.
What does open label mean in research?
Open label means only the investigational medicine is being given; there is no placebo or control. All 3 of our DEE studies include an option to participate in an open-label extension following completion of the initial controlled study.
Will my child still be able to see their current neurologist? Will there be any changes to their current epilepsy treatment?
Your child will still see their current neurologist and will be taking the investigational medicine alongside their current epilepsy treatment, if eligible. This study team will not make any changes regarding your child’s current epilepsy care.
Will my child be able to continue the study drug after the study is complete?
Following completion of the open-label extension, the investigational medicine will be made available through an expanded access program for participants who showed clear benefits of this treatment based on local country requirements.
My child has a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS), can they still participate?
Yes; however, they must have stable settings or parameters 1 month prior to screening.
What will be discussed during the call with the nurse navigator and how long should I expect the call to take?
The call will cover an overview of the study, as well as questions about your child’s medical history and other important details to determine if your child is prequalified to participate. The call should take between 30 and 60 minutes, if translation is required.
Cost, Travel, Safety, Withdrawing Participation
There is no charge for taking part in any of the DEE studies. All assessments and the investigational medicine are provided at no cost to you.
Will travel costs be covered?
Yes! Travel, lodging, and other related costs will be covered by Praxis Precision Medicines. Families will not have to pay any study-related travel expenses.
If travel is necessary, can the whole family travel with us?
Yes. We will support each family however we can, on a case-by-case basis.
I live outside of the United States. Can my child still participate?
Yes! We provide assistance and coordination with relocation to any of our study sites.
Can I withdraw my child from the study after they have started?
Participation in research studies is entirely voluntary and you may withdraw your child’s participation at any time. If you decide to withdraw your child early, you will be asked to notify the staff before doing so and have one final safety visit.
How will my child’s safety be monitored during the study?
Your child’s safety is our top priority. In all 3 studies, there are several steps taken to closely monitor your child’s health throughout. Regular lab tests are done to check how your child’s body is responding to the investigational medication and watch for any side effects. During the observational period, specific tests will be done to help track your child’s baseline health before starting treatment.
EMBOLD Study FAQs
EMBOLD is a study testing the efficacy and safety of the investigational medicine relutrigine. Relutrigine is an investigational medicine used to potentially reduce seizures in children with SCN2A and SCN8A DEEs.
What is the route of administration for the investigational medicine and how often would my child receive it?
Relutrigine is an investigational medicine and can be administered orally by mouth or through a G/J-tube. Administration is once daily.
What is the length of this study?
The first part of the EMBOLD study will last up to 26 weeks with an option to continue into a 48-week open-label extension period.
What happens when the study is over, can my child stay on study drug?
If your child is experiencing benefit, they will have the opportunity to remain on study drug through an expanded access program as allowed.
Can my child participate remotely?
If you are located in the United States or consent to being relocated to the United States, your child may participate in the study remotely, in person, or a combination of both, whichever your family prefers.
Does this study include a placebo?
Yes, there is a placebo arm in this study. Your child will have a 50% (1 in 2) chance of receiving the investigational medicine or placebo. This is used to determine the efficacy of the investigational medicine by our research team; however, all participants in the study will receive the active investigational medicine at some point during the study.
Is there any data about this investigational medicine's success?
Relutrigine has been previously administered to pediatric patients, showing consistent and significant seizure reduction in every patient treated, amongst other developmental benefits.
EMBRAVE 3 Study FAQs
EMBRAVE 3 is a study testing the efficacy and safety of an investigational intrathecal medicine called elsunersen, which is being developed to potentially reduce seizures. The patient population for this study is pediatric patients (ages 0-18) who have a confirmed genetic mutation on the SCN2A gene.
What does intrathecal administration mean?
The investigational medicine route is intrathecal, which means it is given through a small injection into the fluid around the spine. It is similar to how an epidural or spinal tap is done. This will be administered at the study site by trained professionals every 4 weeks.
What type of medication is the investigational medicine?
Elsunersen is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO). An ASO is a type of medicine from small pieces of genetic material (similar to DNA) that can help fix how certain genes work. It works by attaching to specific messages (mRNA) in the body that tell cells how to make proteins. If a gene is causing a problem, an ASO can block or change that message, helping to reduce or stop the problem.
Is there any data about this investigational medicine’s success?
Elsunersen has been previously administered to pediatric patients, showing consistent and significant seizure reduction in every patient treated, among other developmental benefits.
Does this study include a placebo? If so, how will I know if my child is being given the placebo?
This study involves a procedure to administer medication. Some patients will undergo a simulation of the procedure, referred to as a sham procedure, instead of placebo. In the sham procedure the child will experience a small skin prick, but nothing will be injected. You will not know if your child is receiving the sham procedure until completion of the first part of the study. During the second part, the open-label extension, all participants will be receiving the investigational medicine.
How old does my child have to be in order to be eligible for EMBRAVE 3?
We are conducting this study on participants aged 0 to 18 years; as long as they are above 37 weeks gestational age, they may be eligible. The first part of the study will enroll patients aged 2 to 18 years old, followed later with potential to enroll patients aged 0 to 2 years old.
What is the length of this study?
The first part of the EMBRAVE 3 study will be approximately 24 weeks with an option to continue into a 24-week open-label extension period.
What happens when the study is over, can my child stay on study drug?
If your child is experiencing benefit, they will have the opportunity to remain on study drug through an expanded access program as allowed.
Can my child participate remotely for EMBRAVE 3?
As this study requires intrathecal administration, your child will need to have an in-person appointment once a month for the duration of the study; however, any appointments in between can be completed remotely from your home.
What should I have prepared prior to my call with the nurse navigator?
Please have a copy of your child’s genetic report confirming SCN2A genetic mutation along with the DNA change and protein change.
EMERALD Study FAQs
EMERALD is a study testing the efficacy and safety of the same investigational medicine as EMBOLD, relutrigine, and it is being offered to potentially reduce seizures in patients who have any type of DEE, aged 2 to 65 years old.
What is the length of this study?
The EMERALD study will last up to 24 weeks with an option to continue into a 32-week open-label extension period.
What happens when the study is over, can my child stay on study drug?
If your child is experiencing benefit, they will have the opportunity to remain on study drug through an expanded access program as allowed.
What is the route of administration for the study drug and how often would my child receive it?
Relutrigine is an investigational medicine and can be administered orally by mouth or through a G/J-tube. Administration is once daily.
Can my child participate remotely?
If you are located in the United States or consent to being relocated to the United States, your child may participate in the study remotely, in person, or through a combination of both, whichever your family prefers.
Does this study include a placebo?
Yes, there is a placebo arm in this study. Your child will have a 50% (1 in 2) chance of receiving the investigational medicine or placebo. This is used to determine the efficacy of the investigational medicine by our research team; however, all participants in the study will receive the active investigational medicine at some point during the study.
Is there any data about this investigational medicine's success?
Relutrigine has been previously administered to pediatric patients, showing consistent and significant seizure reduction in every patient treated, amongst other developmental benefits.