Xenon Pharmaceuticals Reports 90.9% Monthly Seizure Frequency Reduction in Long-Term Azetukalner Study
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 05 2025
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Source: Globenewswire
- Significant Efficacy: In the X-TOLE OLE study, participants treated for ≥48 months experienced a 90.9% reduction in monthly seizure frequency, demonstrating azetukalner's exceptional efficacy in long-term use, potentially offering new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat epilepsy.
- Sustained Freedom Periods: Among participants treated for ≥48 months, 38.2% achieved seizure freedom for ≥12 months, indicating that azetukalner not only helps patients attain seizure freedom but also enables them to regain extended periods of freedom after breakthrough seizures, enhancing its clinical applicability.
- Good Safety Profile: The long-term safety of azetukalner was comparable to that observed during the double-blind period, ensuring patient safety and tolerability during treatment, which further solidifies its market position as an anti-seizure medication.
- Broad Research: Xenon presented multiple studies at the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, highlighting the impact of depression on epilepsy patients, underscoring the importance of addressing mental health in this population, which may drive adjustments in future clinical treatment strategies.
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Analyst Views on XENE
Wall Street analysts forecast XENE stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for XENE is 54.09 USD with a low forecast of 44.00 USD and a high forecast of 62.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
14 Analyst Rating
14 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 41.760
Low
44.00
Averages
54.09
High
62.00
Current: 41.760
Low
44.00
Averages
54.09
High
62.00
About XENE
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a Canada-based neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing therapeutics to improve the lives of people living with neurological and psychiatric disorders. The Company is advancing a novel product pipeline to address areas of high unmet medical need, including epilepsy and depression. Azetukalner, a novel, highly potent, selective Kv7 potassium channel opener, represents the advanced, clinically validated potassium channel modulator in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of multiple indications that include epilepsy, including focal onset seizures (FOS), and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTCS), as well as neuropsychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar depression (BPD). The Company is evaluating multiple therapeutic candidates targeting Kv7, Nav1.7, and Nav1.1 across various indications.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Xenon Pharmaceuticals Grants 42,300 Stock Options to New Employees
- Employee Incentive Program: Xenon Pharmaceuticals grants 42,300 stock options to ten new employees to attract talent and enhance employee loyalty, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
- Option Exercise Price: The options have an exercise price of $40.74 per share, equal to the closing price on January 15, 2026, ensuring employees can benefit financially as the company performs well.
- Vesting Schedule: The granted options will vest over four years, with 25% vesting after the first year and the remainder vesting monthly, aimed at incentivizing long-term employee retention and driving company growth.
- Clinical Development Progress: Xenon's lead molecule, azetukalner, is in Phase 3 trials for epilepsy and major depressive disorder, and the incentive plan will help attract more talent to support its research and development efforts.
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Biohaven's BHV-7000 Fails Phase 2 Depression Trial, Shares Drop 15.45%
- Clinical Trial Outcome: Biohaven Ltd.'s BHV-7000 failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase 2 trial for major depressive disorder, although favorable trends were noted in some severely depressed subgroups, which may impact future R&D directions.
- Safety Assessment: While BHV-7000 was mostly safe with mild to moderate adverse events largely resolving spontaneously, the lack of significant efficacy signals raises investor concerns about its market prospects.
- Resource Reallocation: The company has decided against further psychiatric clinical trials, opting instead to focus resources on key priority areas such as immunology, obesity, and epilepsy, indicating a strategic shift in focus.
- Market Reaction: Biohaven's shares fell 15.45% to $9.14 in premarket trading on Friday, reflecting negative market sentiment regarding the trial results, with analysts remaining cautious about future regulatory clarity and data outcomes.
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