WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., June 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai Inc. and the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) Foundation held a hackathon event, called #HackLGS, bringing together LGS caregivers, technology developers, students and creative specialists on May 12 and 13 in New York City. Participants explored the complexities of living with, or caring for, someone with LGS with the ultimate goal of identifying resources or digital tools that can provide a tangible benefit to the LGS community and help alleviate the damaging effects of the disease on patients, their caregivers and families. #HackLGS was the first event of its kind to address this form of epilepsy.

Eisai and the LGS Foundation convened these key members of the LGS community and experts in the technology space to share insights about the disease and how new technical innovations may help address the unmet needs in this community. LGS is one of the more severe forms of childhood epilepsy, characterized by multiple seizure types and cognitive impairment. It is also a physically dangerous epilepsy syndrome, given the frequent falls and injuries often associated with the disease.

"Living with LGS is about more than just seizure control," said Christina SanInocencio, executive director of the LGS Foundation. "So many variables can have an impact on life for both patients and caregivers, and it is our hope that the ideas that came from this innovative and energetic group of individuals will offer unique solutions to a community grappling with this complex disease."

"We live in a time of remarkable technological progress," said Tim Clark, senior director, government affairs, policy and corporate advocacy at Eisai. "As a company, Eisai sees immense value in gathering creative minds from a variety of disciplines to identify ways we can apply new innovations that may help the lives of people living with difficult-to-manage diseases like LGS. This meeting underscores Eisai's commitment to advancing epilepsy care by making contributions to help address the diversified needs of epilepsy patients and their families."  

To learn more about LGS, the challenges associated with the disease, and existing resources, visit www.lgsfoundation.org or www.livingwithlgs.com.

About Eisai Inc.
At Eisai Inc., human health care is our goal. We give our first thoughts to patients and their families, and helping to increase the benefits health care provides. As the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., we have a passionate commitment to patient care that is the driving force behind our efforts to discover and develop innovative therapies to help address unmet medical needs.

Eisai is a fully integrated pharmaceutical business that operates in two global business groups: oncology and neurology (dementia-related diseases and neurodegenerative diseases). Each group functions as an end-to-end global business with discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing capabilities. Our U.S. headquarters, commercial and clinical development organizations are located in New Jersey; our discovery labs are in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania; and our global demand chain organization resides in Maryland and North Carolina. To learn more about Eisai Inc., please visit us at www.eisai.com/US.

About the LGS Foundation
The LGS Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information about Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome while raising funds for research, services and support for individuals living with LGS and their families. The LGS Foundation is based in New York City and provides services and information to thousands of members across the world. To learn more about our programs and services, visit our website.

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SOURCE Eisai Inc.