Biogen Sees Positive Results From Study of Potential Multiple Sclerosis Treatment - Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Information, and resources

By Dow Jones Business News, January 24, 2013,

By Saabira Chaudhuri

Biogen Idec ( BIIB ) said data from a late-stage trial of its potential multiple-sclerosis treatment were positive.

The biopharmaceutical company said results support peginterferon beta-1a as a potential treatment dosed every two weeks or every four weeks for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

“If approved, peginterferon beta-1a will represent an innovation

that offers patients a less frequent dosing schedule of no more than 26 doses annually, as well as a significant reduction in relapses and disability progression,” said Gilmore O’Neill, vice president of global neurology late stage clinical development at Biogen.

Biogen said the study’s primary endpoint was met for both the two-week and four-week dose regimens. Results showed that peginterferon beta-1a also met the secondary endpoints. It noted that with both dose regimens studied the risk- benefit profile of peginterferon beta-1a appears to be favorable.

The Phase 3 study included more than 1,500 patients with RRMS and was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of peginterferon beta-1a compared to placebo at one year.

Earlier this month, Biogen said its Phase 3 clinical trial for an ALS treatment didn’t meet its primary goals, causing it to discontinue development of the drug for the disease.

And in October, Biogen reported its third-quarter earnings

rose 13% as the biopharmaceutical company saw growth of its biggest drug, multiple-sclerosis treatment Avonex, and received a boost from a gain tied to Benlysta.

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
  01-24-130808ET
  Copyright (c) 2013 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

SOURCE : NASDAQ

..

Join The MS Community