Category Archives: MS Treatment

Biogen Idec (BIIB) recently announced positive top-line data on its phase III multiple sclerosis candidate, peginterferon beta-1a. Results from the ADVANCE study showed that peginterferon beta-1a met the primary endpoint as well as secondary endpoints. Detailed Results Two doses (once in two weeks and once in four weeks) of peginterferon beta-1a were compared to placebo in the study that was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the candidate in patients suffering from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Both dosing regimens met the primary endpoint of annualized relapse rate (ARR) at one year. While ARR reduction was 35.6% in the two-week regimen, the four-week regimen saw a 27.5% reduction in ARR. Secondary endpoints included reduction of the risk of 12-week confirmed disability progression as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (38% for both dosing arms), reduction in the proportion of patients who relapsed (39% the two-week dosing arm and 26% in the four-week dosing arm) and reduction in the number of new or newly enlarging T2-hyperintense lesions on brain MRI scans (67% in the two-week dosing arm and 28% in the four-week dosing arm). Biogen said that safety and tolerability profiles were favorable in both arms. Biogen intends to … Continue reading →

400,000 Americans have multiple sclerosis. Effects range from vision and speech impairment to balance issues and permanent disabilities. As our Katie Gibas reports, Upstate New York has some of the highest MS rates in the country. To view our videos, you need to enable JavaScript. Learn how. install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now. Then come back here and refresh the page. Brenda Irving has been living with multiple sclerosis since she was 23. Susan Peck was diagnosed 11 years ago. For both women, it was a scary and sudden onset. "I was on vacation with my husband and my mom and dad, and we were just enjoying the vacation and I woke up blind," said Brenda Irving, who has multiple sclerosis. Susan Peck, who also has multiple sclerosis added, "I woke up one morning and my entire right side was numb, my arm was numb and tingly." 400,000 Americans have MS. Effects range from vision and speech impairment to balance issues and permanent disabilities. "It feels like a leg or a foot might not work. It changes each day. I say put your best forward, no matter what stage of MS you have, and each hour, that might … Continue reading →

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) whistleblower Linda Ford told the Health Committee she continued "to be treated like a criminal", on 23 January 2013. Ms Ford won 20,000 in compensation after she took a case against the NIFRS. Three investigations were carried out into the NIFRS following whistle-blowing allegations which centred on fraud, unapproved bonuses and failings to deal with staff grievances. Ms Ford told committee members her treatment had been "appalling", and doubted whether anyone "would come forward now having seen what I have been through". She explained that she had returned to work following suspension but had not been allowed to return to her previous role, and had been told she was not allowed to speak to other members of the finance department. Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs thanked Ms Ford for her actions. "There has been a litany of bad practice that had to be exposed," he added. Replying to a question from Conall McDevitt from the SDLP, Ms Ford was also critical of the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, to whom she had made the disclosure. Earlier in the session, the committee was briefed by members … Continue reading →

By RTT News, January 24, 2013, 07:57:00 AM EDT (RTTNews.com) - Biogen Idec Inc. ( BIIB ) on Thursday released the primary efficacy analysis and safety data from its Phase 3 pivotal clinical trial, ADVANCE. The company said results support peginterferon beta-1a as a potential treatment dosed every two weeks or every four weeks for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis or 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 study of a less frequent dosing schedule. The primary endpoint of ADVANCE, annualized relapse rate or ARR at one year, was met for both the two-week and four-week dose regimens. Results showed that peginterferon beta-1a also met the secondary endpoints of risk of 12-week confirmed disability progression, proportion of patients who relapsed and magnetic resonance imaging or MRI assessments for both dose regimens. The company noted that Adverse events or AEs, serious adverse events or SAEs and discontinuations due to AEs were similar across both dose groups. Overall with both dose regimens studied, the risk-benefit profile of peginterferon beta-1a appears to be favorable. The ADVANCE study included more than 1,500 patients with RRMS and was … Continue reading →

(Reuters) - Biogen Idec Inc said on Thursday that a late-stage clinical trial of an experimental multiple sclerosis treatment showed it to be safe and effective in cutting the annual rate of relapse in patients with the autoimmune disease. The injectable treatment, peginterferon beta-1a, also known as Peg-Avonex, is designed to reduce the dosing schedule typical of standard interferon drugs such as Biogen's own Avonex, as it is designed to last longer in the body. Biogen said the results "support peginterferon beta-1a as a potential treatment dosed every two weeks or every four weeks for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis." The company said fewer patients relapsed on an every two-week dosing schedule than those on an every four-week schedule in the trial. The study included more than 1,500 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Both schedules of use worked at about the same rate to reduce the progression of disability with MS, an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, the company said. Still, analysts are mainly focused on another multiple sclerosis drug in development by Biogen, BG-12, a pill that some expect could become the leading treatment for the disease. David Ferreiro, an analyst at Oppenheimer, said in a research … Continue reading →

WESTON, Mass. (AP) -- Biogen Idec said a potential multiple sclerosis treatment designed to last longer between injections fared well in late-stage research, and the drug developer plans to submit it to U.S. and European regulators for possible approval this year. The Weston, Mass., company said it tested doses of the drug, labeled peginterferon beta-1a, delivered at two-week or four-week intervals in patients with a form of multiple sclerosis that cycles between stages of relapse and remission. A total of 35.6 percent of the patients who had injections every two weeks saw a significant reduction in annual relapse rates, while 27.5 percent of patients taking the treatment every four weeks saw significant reductions. A company spokeswoman said the potential drug's effectiveness was comparable to current treatments that require patients to take daily doses or injections several times a week. More than 1,500 patients were involved in the trial. Biogen will present study data in March at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting. Shares of Biogen climbed $2.17 to $145.72 in Thursday afternoon trading while the Nasdaq exchange fell slightly. The rest is here: Biogen says MS drug reduces relapse rates in study … Continue reading →

THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (OPXA), a biotechnology company developing a novel T-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), today announced the closing of a private offering ofunsecured convertible promissory notes and warrantsto purchase shares of common stock for gross proceeds of $650,000. Opexa expects to use proceeds from the financing to continue its Phase IIb clinical study of Tcelna in patients with Secondary Progressive MS (SP-MS) and general corporate purposes. Participating in the financing were new investors and existing shareholders, including a member of Opexas Board of Directors. The notes mature on January 23, 2014 and accrueinterest at the rate of 12% per annum, compounded annually. Interest is payable quarterly in cash beginning March 31, 2013. Fifty percent of the initial principal amount of the notes is payable by the Company to the investors following the receipt of an aggregate of at least $5 million in proceeds from the sale of the Companys equity securities and/or the Company achieves certain strategic funding milestones to allow the Company to continue its clinical trial program. The remaining balance of the notes is payable by the Company to the investors following the receipt of an aggregate of at least $7.5 million … Continue reading →

Mohali, Jan 23: Team India practiced hard on Tuesday ahead of their fourth ODI against England at PCA cricket stadium in Mohali. India's Yuvraj Singh skipped the session due to a 'sore throat' while skipper MS Dhoni was hit on the thumb during practice. Dhoni was hit on the thumb after Manpreet Gony's delivery rose awkwardly, leaving him in pain for a brief period. He was immediately given treatment, as team physio and coach rushed to the field. Though the pain lasted for a couple of minutes, the team management said that the skipper was fine and there was nothing to worry. The man in form, Dhoni has been the highest run scorer for India in the series against England and an injury scare could have hurt the hosts. Dhoni left the field after the incident while another important member of the squad, Yuvraj Singh was missing during the net session ahead of the fourth ODI to be played at his hometown. Ishant, B Kumar during the net session at Mohali India's Ishant Sharma and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar take rest during a practice session at PCA Stadium in Mohali on Tuesday. Suresh Raina plays a shot India's Suresh Raina plays a … Continue reading →

Its 60 years since the founding of the Multiple Sclerosis Society but the disease has yet to give up all of its secrets. Hilarie Stelfox meets a Golcar family living with the effects of the condition SARAH CORNISH was just 24 when she was diagnosed with the disabling disease multiple sclerosis. Although more than a decade later she is now a wheelchair user she is determined to live as normal life as possible. Unusually, she has a full-time job and is the parent of two young children. Sarah and her husband, Jason, say their family is a rarity as most early-onset MS sufferers dont have children at all. Sarah considers herself to be fortunate in many ways, not least because she knew what she was up against right from the start. Getting a diagnosis meant, she says: I could put a name to why I was not able to do something. I was lucky compared to other people who have it, because they have issues for 10 or 15 years before they get diagnosed. The Multiple Sclerosis Society, which has its diamond jubilee this year, says its not uncommon for sufferers to go undiagnosed altogether. According to the societys Huddersfield … Continue reading →

Update on MS Multiple Sclerosis Tysabri Update on my MS treatment change. By: heythereitsmindy … Continue reading →