Azetukalner

Shionogi & Co. plans to acquire Japan Tobacco's pharmaceutical subsidiaries Torii Pharmaceutical and Akros Pharma for ¥160 billion ($1.1 billion) to strengthen its global R&D capabilities.

Douglas Tsao of H.C. Wainwright reaffirms a Buy rating for Xenon Pharmaceuticals, citing the promising efficacy and tolerability of its antiepileptic drug, azetukalner, supported by positive trial results and its impact on patients' emotional well-being.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals' azetukalner demonstrates sustained reduction in seizure frequency and impressive seizure freedom rates in patients with focal onset seizures.

Xenon Pharmaceuticals is progressing its Phase 3 epilepsy program with azetukalner, anticipating topline data from the X-TOLE2 study in the second half of 2025.