June 9, 2004
2004 Annual Conference of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers
Business Wire
Avanir Pharmaceuticals announced today that information on a diagnostic scale used to identify pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) was presented at the 2004 Annual Conference of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers held in Toronto, Canada. The Center for Neurologic Study Lability Scale (CNS-LS) is a validated clinical tool used to diagnose patients with PBA and quantify aspects of PBA episodes.
Pseudobulbar affect affects patients with Alzheimer's, MS, Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS, Parkinson's, traumatic brain injury and stroke, and is characterized by inappropriate, involuntary emotional outbursts. In his presentation Measuring Pseudobulbar Affect in Multiple Sclerosis, Dr. Richard A. Smith explained that the CNS-LS is a self-report measure that quantifies MS patients' perceptions of frequency, degree of voluntary control, inappropriateness to context, and intensity of PBA episodes.
The CNS-LS is being utilized in an ongoing Phase III clinical trial examining the safety and efficacy of a drug candidate for the treatment of PBA in MS patients conducted by Avanir Pharmaceuticals. There is no drug specifically approved for treating PBA, although physicians sometimes prescribe anti-depressants to provide relief for the embarrassing and often debilitating symptoms of the condition.
Organized in 1986 under the direction of neurologists interested in the clinical care of multiple sclerosis, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) has grown to become a multi-disciplinary organization providing a team approach to MS care and a network for all health care professionals and others specializing in the care of persons with MS.
Avanir Pharmaceuticals is a drug discovery and development company focused on novel treatments for chronic diseases. The Company's most advanced product candidate, Neurodex(TM), is in Phase III clinical development for pseudobulbar affect, and in Phase II clinical development for neuropathic pain. A potential treatment for allergy and asthma, AVP 13358, is in Phase I clinical development. Avanir also develops human monoclonal antibodies for infectious diseases and other therapeutic applications. The Company's first commercialized product, Abreva(R), is marketed in North America by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and is the leading over-the-counter product for the treatment of cold sores. Further information about Avanir can be found at www.Avanir. com.
Avanir press releases and presentations, including any forward-looking
statements contained therein, should be reviewed in conjunction with the
company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other publicly available
information regarding the company. Copies of such information are available
from the company upon request. Such publicly available information sets
forth many risks and uncertainties related to the company's business and
technology. Forward-looking statements often contain such words as "estimate,"
"anticipate," "intend," "plan" or "expect." Research findings are not always
supportable by evidence obtained from subsequent clinical trials and the
company can make no assurances that the Neurodex(TM) clinical trials will
yield positive results. Final review decisions made by the FDA and other
regulatory agencies concerning clinical trial results are unpredictable
and are not within the control of the company. The company disclaims any
intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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