More MS news articles for April 2004

Ilex expands enrollment in Campath study for MS

http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2004/04/19/daily31.html?jst=b_ln_hl

April 22, 2004
Sab Antonio Business Journal

ILEX Oncology Inc. on Thursday announced that the company has met its enrollment target of 240 people for a new Phase II study that will provide multiple sclerosis patients with Campath.

Officials with the San Antonio-based oncology drug company in January said that it planned to increase the size of trial from 150 to 240 based on growing interest from clinical investigators and patients.

ILEX is providing the treatment to patients with previously untreated relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis. Campath already has been approved by the FDA to treat patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

"The rapid accrual of this Campath MS trial highlights the great demand for new therapeutic options in the MS arena," says study investigator and neurologist Edward Fox in Austin. "We're looking forward to seeing some preliminary data towards to the end of the year."

ILEX has proposed merging with Cambridge, Mass.-based Genzyme Corp.. That deal is under review by the Securities and Exchange Commission and still must be approved by ILEX shareholders.