February 28, 2005

The New York Times article on Tysabri

The New York Times > Business > [LINK]

Biogen, Elan suspend Tysabri

CNN-MONEY [LINK]

LIVE AUDIO CONFERENCE REGARDING SUSPENSION

LINKwebcast later today at 11.30am Eastern Standard Time (EST), 4:30 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) with the investment community to discuss Biogen Idec and Elan's announcement of a voluntary suspension of Tysabri.

BIOGEN IDEC AND ELAN ANNOUNCE VOLUNTARY SUSPENSION OF TYSABRI®

LINK TO:Biogen Idec WEBSITE/COMPLETE ARTICLE

TYSABRI SUSPENDED FROM THE MARKET

[LINK]Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation have just announced the voluntary suspension of Tysabri from the market and from all clinical trials due to safety concerns. Tysabri was approved for marketing in November 2004.According to the company press release, "This decision is based on very recent reports of two serious adverse events that have occurred in patients treated with TYSABRI in combination with AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) in clinical trials. These events involve one fatal, confirmed case and one suspected case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare and frequently fatal, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Both patients received more than two years of TYSABRI therapy in combination with AVONEX."

February 27, 2005

Fetal Cells Help Parkinson’s

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Researchers Find Clue to Why Women Get MS More Often Than Men

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February 23, 2005

2-Year Trial of Tysabri in MS

National Multiple Sclerosis Society - [LINK]

Jordan Sigalet: Two Sides of Strength

LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE The Bowling Green University News:Considered one of the top goaltenders in the CCHA, Jordan Sigalet has shown success on the ice and determination to keep playing after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

'How Am I Going to Pay for All This?'

MS and Health Insurance - Thursday, February 24, 2005 at 8:30 p.m. EST (5:30 p.m. PST) on the phone and on the Internet - An expert panel explores strategies for paying for cutting-edge treatments. - Dr. Pat Parcells and patient Leslie Erskine examine evolving health insurance issues and provide reimbursement strategies to help you cover the medications you need to control your MS. - Get more information and register for this program now...[CLICK HERE NOW]

Input Sought on McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for MS

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Researchers Discover Specific Marker For Disease Misdiagnosed As MS

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February 22, 2005

Questions and Answers About Tysabri

MS patients find strength in family and friends

February 18, 2005

Natalizumab (Tysabri) slows progression of disability in patients with relapsing forms of MS- two year data from AFFIRM trial: Biogen Idec and the Elan Corporation have announced that the Phase III natalizumab (Tysabri™) AFFIRM monotherapy trial has achieved the two-year primary endpoint of slowing the progression of disability in patients with relapsing forms of MS.

Natalizumab led to a 42% reduction in the risk of disability progression compared to placebo. These data also demonstrated a 67% reduction in the rate of clinical relapses over two years, which was consistent with the previously reported one-year results. Other data from AFFIRM at two years, including MRI measures and immunogenicity, were similar to previously reported results.

The adverse event profile at two years was also consistent with previously reported results. The incidence of infections in natalizumab-treated and placebo-treated patients was similar. Serious infections occurred in 3.2% and 2.6% of patients, respectively. Natalizumab has also been associated with hypersensitivity reactions, including serious systemic reactions that occurred at an incidence of less than 1% of patients.

February 17, 2005

PharmaLive: TYSABRI- Two-Year Monotherapy Trial Demonstrates Significant Impact on Disability Progression and Relapse Rate in Multiple Sclerosis

Data Show 42% Reduction in the Risk of Disability Progression and Sustained 67% Reduction in Relapse Rate--------MORE

Biogen/Elan: MS drug achieves two-year primary endpoint - After two years, medicine shows 42% reduction in disease progression and low side effects.

Tysabri, a once-a-month drug, was approved by U.S. regulators last November and is seen as key for both U.S.-based Biogen (Research) and Ireland's Elan

The companies' so-called AFFIRM monotherapy trial showed a 42 percent reduction in the risk of disability progression compared to a placebo.

Importantly, the drug also demonstrated a 67 percent reduction in the rate of clinical relapses over two years, which was consistent with the one-year results.

Jack Gorman - said sustaining the relapse rate reduction over two years was impressive and a positive surprise.

It was also encouraging that adverse side effects remained modest after two years of treatment, he added.

"The results are very good," Gorman wrote in a research note. "This will help convince neurologists that the product is safe and effective over a longer time period, and will underpin revenue forecasts.

Tysabri, formerly called Antegren, is the first kind of drug to prevent inflamed cells from escaping into the tissue of the brain, where they can cause unpredictable neurological problems.

It is also the first drug for MS given once a month intravenously, versus more frequent injections.

February 16, 2005

Goalie playing to win in fight against MS

Bowling Green hockey goalie Jordan Sigalet - LINK

February 14, 2005

ADULTS WHO HAD HIGHER EXPOSURE TO INFANT SIBLINGS HAVE DECREASED RISK FOR MS

Adults who report having had higher exposure to infant siblings during their first 6 years of life have a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study in the January 26 issue of JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

A Closer Look at Pregnancy and MS

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Researchers Discover Specific Marker For Disease Misdiagnosed As MS

The Lancet - This study was funded in part by the National MS Society..........LINK

February 10, 2005

COPAXONE: Drug manufacturer Teva's 4Q profit rises 32%

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Elan Announces Final Settlement of SEC Investigation; Settlement Concludes All Aspects of the Investigation

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February 06, 2005

PharmaFrontiers Completes Interim Financing, Makes Key Research Advances

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new medical device for multiple sclerosis patients

ALR Technologies Inc. is unveiling a medical device designed to remind multiple sclerosis patients to take their medication.
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February 04, 2005

Chicago Tribune: EEOC sues Botanic Garden over firing

Federal civil rights lawyers on Wednesday sued the operator of the Chicago Botanic Garden for firing a woman who missed 15 weeks of work because of multiple sclerosis.
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February 03, 2005

NATURE REVIEWS: Tysabri

Natalizumab (Tysabri; Biogen Idec/Elan) is a humanized antibody against the 4 integrin subunit, which is involved in the migration of immune system cells into the central nervous system- LINK