Switching to Novartis drug Gilenya
Two new analyses from the Phase III TRANSFORMS study presented at the 23rd meeting of the European Neurological Society (ENS) in Barcelona, demonstrated how Novartis' Gilenya® (fingolimod) was effective against all four key measures of disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) - brain volume loss, lesion activity (measured by magnetic resonance imaging - MRI), relapse rates and disability progression. Improvements were seen in patients who switched from standard interferon (interferon beta-1a) treatment to Gilenya within 12 months of the switch and up to the end of the 4.5 year extension study. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)
Source: Pharmacy Europe - June 11, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
Brain Atrophy Tied to MS Development (CME/CE)
(MedPage Today) -- Progression from clinically isolated syndrome to definite multiple sclerosis was significantly associated with atrophy in the thalamus among patients treated with interferon-beta-1a, researchers said. (Source: MedPage Today Neurology)
Source: MedPage Today Neurology - April 23, 2013 Category: Neurology Source Type: news
AAN meeting review
An interview with Dr Lawrence Steinman, Professor of Neurology at Stanford University in California, looks at topics raised at the recent AAN (American Academy of Neurology) meeting. Topics covered include repurposing already approved drugs, the Avonex/Copaxone combination therapy and approaches to secondary progressive MS.
Medscape (requires free registration)
Latest MS research updates (Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust)
Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust - April 2, 2013 Category: Neurology Source Type: news
Avonex (Interferon beta-1a) - updated on RxList
(Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)
Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs - March 27, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
Gilenya® (Fingolimod) Demonstrates Consistent Benefits In Reduction Of Relapses And Brain Volume Loss In Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Data presented at the 65th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) show Gilenya® (fingolimod), the first and only once-daily oral therapy reimbursed to treat highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), significantly and consistently reduced the rate of brain volume loss and reduced relapse rates compared to interferon beta-1a IM or placebo.(1,2,4) The new data add to the growing body of evidence for fingolimod regarding its early efficacy benefits and long-term safety profile... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 25, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Multiple Sclerosis Source Type: news
Extension CombiRx Data Show No Benefit of Combined MS DrugsExtension CombiRx Data Show No Benefit of Combined MS Drugs
Seven-year results of a large trial comparing a combination of interferon-beta1a and glatiramer acetate to monotherapy with either drug alone continue to show no additional benefit of the combination therapy. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - March 21, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology & Neurosurgery News Source Type: news
Fingolimod (Gilenya)
Reanalysis of previous study results show that fingolimod reduced the rate of brain volume loss by about a third compared to Avonex or placebo, that the overall reduction in relapse rate was also demonstrated across subgroups such as gender, age, and disease activity, and that no further safety concerns were identified in a two year extension study. Results presented at the AAN (American Academy of Neurology) meeting.
Novartis press release
Bloomberg
Fingolimod (Gilenya) - A to Z of MS (Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust)
Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust - March 21, 2013 Category: Neurology Source Type: news
Beta interferon / Copaxone combination
A study compared people taking both beta interferon (Avonex) and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) with people taking either of the drugs on its own. The results showed no difference in effect on progression or improvement in, but the combination and Copaxone alone were both better at reducing the relapse rate and the combination reduced the number of new lesions.
Science Daily
Disease modifying drugs - A to Z of MS (Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust)
Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust - March 11, 2013 Category: Neurology Source Type: news
Horizon scanning: Positive data from phase III (ADVANCE) trial of peginterferon beta-1a for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
Source: Reuters
Area: News
Biogen Idec has released the primary efficacy analysis and safety data from its phase III pivotal clinical trial, ADVANCE of peginterferon beta-1a dosed every two weeks or every four weeks for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Peginterferon beta-1a is a new molecular entity in which interferon beta-1a is pegylated to extend its half-life and prolong its exposure in the body, enabling a less frequent dosing schedule.
The two-year phase III ADVANCE clinical trial is a global, multi-centre randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study conducted in 1516...
Source: NeLM - News - January 25, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
Monthly MS Drug Wins in Trial
(MedPage Today) -- A pegylated form of interferon-beta-1a for multiple sclerosis that may enable monthly dosing was effective in reducing relapse rates in a placebo-controlled trial, the drug's manufacturer said. (Source: MedPage Today Primary Care)
Source: MedPage Today Primary Care - January 24, 2013 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
FDA approval of Rebif Rebidose
EMD Serono, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer Inc. announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rebif® Rebidose® (interferon beta-1a), a single-use auto-injector for the self-administration of Rebif, a disease-modifying drug used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). (Source: Pharmacy Europe)
Source: Pharmacy Europe - January 7, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
FDA Approves Interferon Autoinjector for MSFDA Approves Interferon Autoinjector for MS
EMD Serono/Pfizer announce FDA approval for a single-use autoinjector for their beta-interferon product, Rebif. FDA Approvals (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - January 3, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology & Neurosurgery News Alert Source Type: news
