International Epilepsy Day 2026: Advances Across Therapies, Devices and Monitoring

International Epilepsy Day 2026, celebrated on February 9, is a global initiative led by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Its aim is to improve understanding of epilepsy and the lives of those affected by it.

Epilepsy impacts around 50 million people around the globe. Nearly 80% of those living with epilepsy are in low- and middle-income countries where access to diagnosis and treatment varies greatly. Stigma also remains a significant barrier to care.

In 2026, the campaign’s Epilepsy Pledge encourages individuals, schools, workplaces and organizations to commit to practical steps that promote safety, inclusion and understanding throughout the year.

Along with advocacy and policy efforts, research and development in the life sciences continue to expand the range of approaches studied for epilepsy, including new therapies, medical devices and monitoring technologies.

Advances in Precision Therapies for Severe Epilepsies

Many late-stage programs are in progress for severe developmental epileptic encephalopathies such as Dravet syndrome. This rare and treatment-resistant condition begins in infancy and is often linked to mutations in the SCN1A gene.

Stoke Therapeutics is developing zorevunersen, an antisense oligonucleotide aimed at increasing SCN1A expression. In early 2026, the company reported rapid enrollment in its Phase III EMPEROR study and confirmed plans for a mid-2027 data readout. A rolling New Drug Application (NDA) submission to the FDA is anticipated in the first half of 2027. Zorevunersen has received Breakthrough Therapy designation, which is intended to help expedite development of therapies for serious conditions with significant unmet medical need.

Encoded Therapeutics is exploring a similar gene-regulation strategy with ETX101, an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based therapy also designed to boost SCN1A expression. Like zorevunersen, ETX101 has received Breakthrough Therapy designation, along with other expedited and rare disease designations. Early-stage studies have reported sustained seizure reductions following a single administration. This program reflects broader efforts to investigate gene-based approaches for conditions primarily managed with symptomatic antiseizure medications.

Small-molecule strategies are also under investigation. Harmony Biosciences has reported data from its Phase III ARGUS trial of EPX-100 (clemizole hydrochloride) in Dravet syndrome, showing sustained reductions in motor seizure frequency with longer-term treatment. Confirmatory results for this investigational candidate are still pending.

Neuromodulation and Device-Based Care

Interventional device therapies are another area of active development, particularly for patients whose seizures remain uncontrolled despite medication.

In late 2025, NeuroPace submitted a Premarket Approval supplement to the FDA to expand the indication of its responsive neurostimulation (RNS) system to include individuals with antiseizure-medication-resistant idiopathic generalized epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The application, supported by data from the NAUTILUS study, has received Breakthrough Device designation. Given the limited neuromodulation options for this population, the designation supports ongoing regulatory review of new interventional approaches.

Monitoring Brain Activity Beyond the Clinic

New diagnostic technologies that enable longer-term and ambulatory recording of brain activity are also gaining regulatory clearance.

In January 2026, the FDA cleared an in-ear electroencephalography (EEG) system developed by Naox Technologies for prescription use in adults and children aged six years and older. The device is intended to support extended EEG monitoring in home and clinical settings, complementing short-duration, in-clinic recordings.

In Europe, similar efforts are underway. An AI-enabled wearable system called EPISERAS, which uses a non-invasive earpiece sensor to monitor brain activity and identify patterns associated with seizure onset, has received CE and UKCA Class IIa certification, with broader clinical deployment planned for 2026. The system is being evaluated in observational studies and reflects growing interest in ambulatory, real-world monitoring technologies that may support safety and long-term management outside hospital settings.

In Canada, SK Biopharmaceuticals and Brazil-based Eurofarma have launched an AI-focused digital health joint venture, Mentis Care, in Ontario. The initiative aims to combine EEG data with predictive algorithms to support seizure monitoring and safety beyond traditional clinical settings. The collaboration involves partners in South Korea, Brazil and Canada and is focused on developing AI-based digital tools for epilepsy monitoring.

On International Epilepsy Day 2026, the highlight continues on the ongoing need for awareness, equitable access to care and sustained research.

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