Biogen, Abbott advance MS drug trial
Biogen Idec will pay Abbott Laboratories $30 million to advance a new phase 3 trial for a drug candidate targeting multiple sclerosis. The two companies announced Monday that the study’s first patient had been enrolled.
The trial will test the efficacy and safety of Daclizumab, a drug target, versus treatments featuring Avonex, an approved drug sold by Biogen. The study is expected to enroll 1,500 patients in 28 countries. Daclizumab will be administered under the skin, once a month.
Daclizumab was developed by Facet Biotech, which was acquired by Abbott in April 2010, and Biogen Idec. Biogen was once a suitor to potentially acquire Facet, prior to its deal with Abbott.
A phase two trial using the drug target in conjunction with Avonex showed a 72 percent reduction in the number of new or enlarged MS lesions when compared with Avonex alone in patients with active, relapsing forms of MS.
Source: Boston Business Journal
