SK Life Science to Unveil New Epilepsy Data and Patient Insights at AAN 2026

CHICAGO, IL – April 06, 2026 – SK Life Science, Inc. is poised to make a significant impact at the upcoming American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, where it will present a comprehensive body of research on its antiseizure medication, cenobamate (XCOPRI®), alongside pivotal new findings on the communication gaps between epilepsy patients and their healthcare providers. The presentations, scheduled for April 18-22 in Chicago, underscore a dual-pronged strategy aimed at both advancing the science of epilepsy treatment and improving the human experience of living with the condition.

For the approximately 3.4 million people in the U.S. living with epilepsy, nearly 40% of whom struggle to achieve seizure freedom with existing therapies, these developments represent a critical step forward. The company’s agenda includes a wealth of clinical and real-world data on cenobamate, as well as an expanded analysis of its "Hope, Hesitancy, and Hard Truths" survey, which delves into the often-unspoken challenges in patient-doctor dialogue.

A Growing Body of Evidence for Cenobamate

At the heart of SK Life Science's AAN showcase is cenobamate, an antiseizure medication that has steadily gained traction in the market. The company plans to present multiple posters detailing the drug's performance across various settings. The data will cover long-term efficacy, safety in adults and adolescents, real-world healthcare resource utilization, and pharmacokinetic analyses in different patient populations, including the elderly.

Since its approval, cenobamate has carved out a significant niche, particularly for adults with drug-resistant partial-onset seizures. Its global market share in epilepsy treatment has shown robust growth, climbing from 1.8% in 2022 to a projected 4.6% in 2024, with U.S. sales reaching 630.3 billion Korean Won in 2025. This commercial success is built on a foundation of compelling clinical evidence. Pivotal trials showed that a significant percentage of patients achieved 100% seizure reduction, and real-world studies have reported median seizure frequency reductions of up to 73%.

A key focus of the new data will likely be on reinforcing the drug's safety and long-term viability. While early clinical trials noted cases of a serious allergic reaction known as DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) with faster dose escalations, subsequent real-world experience across more than 100,000 patients has shown no reported cases when the approved, slower titration schedule is followed. This real-world evidence is crucial for building clinician confidence. Furthermore, impressive long-term retention rates—with 62% of patients remaining on the therapy at 48 months in one study—suggest sustained efficacy and tolerability.

Presentations at AAN 2026 will further explore cenobamate's impact, with studies on its potential to reduce healthcare costs by achieving zero seizures and research into its use in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who may have delayed or deferred surgery. The company will also present data on a new oral suspension formulation and a pharmacokinetic study to determine appropriate dosing for adolescents, signaling a commitment to expanding the drug's accessibility and application.

Bridging the Critical Communication Gap in Epilepsy Care

Beyond the clinical data, SK Life Science is drawing attention to a more nuanced but equally critical aspect of epilepsy management: the quality of communication between patients and their doctors. The company will present a new methodological analysis of its "Hope, Hesitancy, and Hard Truths" survey, building on initial findings released in November 2025.

The survey, which included 500 people with epilepsy and 450 healthcare providers, exposed a profound disconnect. Initial results revealed that a startling 72% of patients do not report all of their seizures to their providers, often due to fears of losing independence or feeling the seizures weren't "significant enough." It also highlighted a mismatch in expectations, with most doctors believing a 75-100% seizure reduction is realistic, while a majority of patients (78%) did not believe they would ever be completely seizure-free.

"Understanding how patients and healthcare providers communicate about epilepsy is essential to improving care," said Sunita Misra, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at SK Life Science, Inc., in the company's announcement. "By bringing these perspectives together, we can better understand barriers in treatment conversations and identify communication gaps that may influence care decisions."

The new analysis to be presented at AAN promises to delve deeper into the survey's methodology and respondent insights, further illuminating the "hard truths" of these interactions. It aims to show how providers may overestimate the effectiveness of their communication, while patients often feel hesitant to voice their true concerns. This research directly addresses a major unmet need in chronic care, as these communication breakdowns can lead to suboptimal treatment adjustments, poor adherence, and ultimately, worse health outcomes.

A Dual Strategy for Leadership in Neurological Care

The combination of robust drug development and patient-centric research illustrates a sophisticated strategy by SK Life Science and its parent company, SK Biopharmaceuticals. The growing revenue from cenobamate, projected by some analysts to reach blockbuster status, is not just a commercial success but the engine funding a broader ambition to become a leading "big biotech."

This strategy involves reinvesting profits into an expanding R&D pipeline focused on both central nervous system (CNS) disorders and innovative radiopharmaceutical therapies. The company is looking beyond symptomatic treatments toward developing disease-modifying therapies for intractable conditions like Parkinson's disease, using a precision medicine approach.

The presentations at AAN 2026 are a microcosm of this dual approach. On one hand, the company is meticulously building the scientific and clinical case for cenobamate, expanding its use to new populations and formulations. On the other, it is investing in understanding the patient journey, acknowledging that a drug's effectiveness is intrinsically linked to the context in which it is prescribed and managed.

As thousands of neurologists and neuroscience professionals gather in Chicago, the data and discussions initiated by SK Life Science will contribute to a broader conversation about the future of epilepsy treatment. The focus extends beyond seizure counts and molecular mechanisms to encompass the holistic well-being of the patient, where clear communication and shared goals are as vital as the medication itself. This integrated model of advancing both the science and the patient experience may well set a new standard for innovation in chronic disease management.