More MS news articles for February 2004

Biogen & Elan to seek early approval for Antegren

http://www.bostoncure.org:8080/article.pl?sid=04/02/19/1238234&mode=nested

February 19th, 2004
Boston Cure Project

Two MS trials of the drug Antegren have apparently generated such positive midterm results that its developers, Biogen Idec and Elan, are planning to file for FDA approval this year rather than next. The two trials, one evaluating Antegren on its own and the other evaluating Antegren and Avonex combination therapy, are scheduled to run for two years and will report the drug's effects on disability and relapse rate. However, the studies called for analysis of relapse rates at the one-year point, and it is this analysis that has led to the early filing. If approval is granted, Antegren could be available for distribution as early as 2005.

Antegren (aka natalizumab) is designed to prevent immune cells from crossing through the blood brain barrier and contributing to the inflammatory process. More information about this announcement can be found at the Biogen web site.