A mainstay of multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy can be given three times weekly instead of the current daily injection, a study found. Also this week: genetic testing for “racial purity.”

Copaxone OK for Less Frequent Dosing

Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), one of the two front-line injectable drugs for MS, may not have to be administered every day as is currently the case, its manufacturer suggested.

In an international placebo-controlled trial called GALA involving more than 1,400 patients, a three-times weekly schedule with 40 mg per injection — double the daily dose — met the study’s primary endpoint by reducing annualized relapse rates by 34.4% relative to placebo, according to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

“Initial analysis of the data indicates that secondary clinical endpoints were achieved, with the exception of reduction in brain atrophy,” the company said in a statement.

The need for daily injections is considered one of the main drawbacks of glatiramer acetate.

Teva said a 1-year open-label extension of the GALA trial is now underway.

Source: MedPageToday

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