12/27/2001
A recent study comparing three drugs
for multiple sclerosis suggests that alternatives to Biogen Inc.'s big-selling
Avonex may have some advantages in treating some forms of the disease.
But Cambridge-based Biogen said the
study is limited and it doesn't properly illustrate Avonex's effectiveness
in treating the degenerative neurological disease.
The study compared Avonex with Copaxone,
made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Betaseron, made by Schering
AG. It looked at patients with an on-again, off-again relapsing form of
multiple sclerosis.
Dr. Omar Khan of Wayne State University
School of Medicine said Copaxone and Betaseron more effectively slowed
the relapse rate among a group of 156 patients. But Khan's conclusions
had little to do with the comparative efficacy of the drugs.
''Foremost, the study indicates that
treatment does make a difference and physicians should encourage early
treatment,'' said Khan in a statement. He also said the study ''was not
intended to be definitive or conclusive'' in determining which of the treatments
was most effective.
A Biogen spokeswoman, Kathleen O'Donnell,
said, ''Dr. Khan's study doesn't represent the quality of good science
that one has seen in looking at the therapies for multiple sclerosis, nor
does it represent the preponderance of evidence and well-controlled clinical
trials with Avonex that has clearly demonstrated Avonex's efficacy against
broad parameters for treating the disease, not just relapses.
''Avonex remains the leading treatment
of choice around the world with 114,000 patients on the therapy, and it
has demonstrated a 44 percent reduction in relapses,'' she said.
A Schering spokeswoman said the study
highlighted benefits for its drug. ''The primary advantage of [Betaseron]
is it's a high dose with high frequency,'' said Jane Kramer. ''This study
suggests that our product is more efficacious than others on the market.''
About 333,000 people in the United
States suffer from multiple sclerosis, which occurs when the coating of
nerves in the body breaks down or becomes inflamed. The disease generates
numerous disabling symptoms, and there is no cure.
Biogen introduced Avonex in the United
States in 1996 and in Europe in 1997. The drug has pushed Biogen's sales
to a projected $1 billion this year. Avonex has so-called orphan drug status
here, making it the only therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration
for treatment of MS. Several companies, including Switzerland-based Serono
SA, are seeking to break Biogen's exclusive hold on the US market.
© Copyright 2001 Globe Newspaper
Company
By Jeffrey Krasner, Globe Staff