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Teva CEO Shlomo Yanai

Teva reports positive data for MS drug

Israeli drug maker says long-term study shows its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone slows progression of disease, reduces relapse rates

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said Friday a long-term study showed its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone slowed progression of the disease and reduced relapse rates.

 

The study followed 174 patients over a 16-year period. Patients continuously treated with the drug for an average of eight years benefited in both reduced symptoms and a lower relapse rate. More than half of patients who discontinued use after an average of 3.7 years showed increased disability. Also, 76 percent of patients who remained on the drug were walking unaided after an average of 20 years with the disease.

 

The data were presented at the 23rd Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

 

Copaxone has faced growing competition from Tysabri, made by Biogen Idec Inc. and Elan Corp. That drug was approved in 2004, but pulled from the market in 2005 after two patients in clinical trials died of a nervous system disorder.

 

The Food and Drug Administration allowed the drug back on the market, but patients have to register with a safety monitoring program.

 

Still, Wall Street has taken a cautious view on Tysabri in the past several months, citing the safety monitoring program and its high price tag.

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.13.07, 17:38
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