Expert Neurology Panel Weighs Impact of New Reports of PML in Multiple Sclerosis Patients on Tysabri

Biogen/Elan's Tysabri has been under scrutiny due to two additional reported cases of PML, a rare and potentially fatal brain disease associated with use of the drug. MedPredict recently convened an expert panel of neurologists to assess the significance of the PML cases, and the effect on prescribing and development of new potent immunosurveillants.

"Nobody at the Thought Leader level was surprised that there were more new (PML) events," according to Jeff Berk, MedPredict's president. "At the time of the reinstatement of the US license for Tysabri, the FDA Advisory Committee stated that they expected there to be more events. Our panel discusses whether that sentiment will translate to community-based neurologists."

The report also updates progress on other approaches to treatment of MS, including:

-- New interferons, integrin inhibitors, B-cell inhibitors, S1Ps, fumarates, neuroprotection/neuroregeneration.

-- The potential for vaccine or MAb approaches for the treatment or prevention of multiple sclerosis.

-- Which therapeutics in development to provide symptomatic benefits in MS are the most likely winners.

MedPredict's analysis also provides guidance for clinical trial design in MS. "There have been a number of high-profile failed trials, both in relapsing-remitting and in progressive MS," said Dr. Berk. "The panel talks about strategies for improving the odds of success through better designs and better metrics."

Companies and partnerships discussed in this report include: Acorda, Amgen/Epix, Artielle ImmunoTherapeutics, Avanir, BaroFold, Bayhill, Bayer-Schering, Bayer-Schering/Genzyme, Biogen, Biogen/Elan, Biogen/Genentech/Roche, Biogen/UCB, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, GSK, GSK/Genmab, GSK/Mitsubishi Tanabe, Lilly/BioMS, Merck, Merck-Serono, Novartis, Ono, Opexa, PDL/Biogen/Roche, Peptimmune, Roche/Actelion, Roche/Genentech, Sanofi-Aventis, Teva/Merck-Serono, Teva.

This report can be purchased by contacting MedPredict.

About MedPredict

MedPredict (http://www.medpredict.com) maintains a proprietary database of over 1,000 global physician thought leaders, including 40+ specialties in 30+ therapeutic categories. Based on primary interviews with these thought leaders, MedPredict publishes periodic reports in each category to keep clients up-to-date on emerging trends and competitive activity. The reports include thought leader reactions to recent publications and medical conferences, as well as clinical, regulatory and marketing activity.

SOURCE MedPredict

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