(Image Source: flickr)

 

BY NICK ADAMS

 

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

 

An effective new treatment for multiple sclerosis? A drug that prevents MS relapses is now in its the third phase of testing. If it passes this phase, it will be sent to the FDA for approval. Boston Business Journal has the latest.

“Biogen Idec... is announcing positive results for the first of two Phase 3 trials on its potential oral therapy for multiple sclerosis, BG-12.”

How significant are these results so far? Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News says after two years of experimenting with the drug,...

“...treatment using oral BG-12 either twice a day ... or three times a day ... significantly reduced the proportion of patients who relapsed by 49% and 50%, respectively.”
StreetInsider is also optimistic about the drug. It takes an excerpt from investment firm Jefferies which says the drug will become mainstream.
 
“...we nonetheless believe that there will be a strong trend towards better efficacy for BG12, and combined with oral dosing ... we have increased confidence that BG12 will emerge as the leading front-line treatment for MS."

Fox Business agrees that the results are a boon for the company, Biogen. Following it’s positive test results, Fox Business says the company hopes get the drug past its regulatory hurdles sooner rather than later.

“The company aims to file for U.S. and European regulatory filings for BG-12 in the first half next year.”

The cost of the drug is not yet known, but it is expected to be similar in cost to other MS treatments.  

Sci/Health News: Multiple Sclerosis Cure

New Study Brings Hope to MS Patients

October 22, 2011
(1:27)
An effective new treatment for multiple sclerosis? A drug that prevents MS relapses is now in its the third phase of testing.
   
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