Biogen Idec celebrates 2nd anniversary of MS drug
23 Jul 2008
Biogen Idec and Elan today celebrated the two-year anniversary of the first international approval of Tysabri for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its reintroduction in the US.
The firms believe that around 31,800 patients are currently using the drug, while more than 43,300 patients have been treated with it over the past two years.
According to the companies, there have been no confirmed cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in the period since July 2006.
Dr Thomas Scott, who is the professor of neurology at Drexel University College of Medicine and director at Allegheny MS Treatment Centre in Pittsburgh, commented that his patients who have been using the medicine appear to have seen very positive effects.
He added: "Many of my patients tell me Tysabri is helping them to regain control of their lives."
Biogen Idec today released its financial results for the second quarter of the year, with revenues of $993 million (£497 million) representing a 28 per cent increase on the same period last year.
It revealed second quarter diluted earnings per share were $0.70 - an increase of 30 per cent on the figure of $0.54 for the same three months in 2007.
