Biogen Avonex
This article was originally published in Pharmaceutical Approvals Monthly
Executive Summary
Interferon beta-1a treatment reduced the rate at which high-risk individuals develop clinically definite multiple sclerosis by 44% compared to placebo, according to a study published in the Sept. 28 New England Journal of Medicine. The 383-patient study also showed that 20 mcg Avonex injected intramuscularly once a week for up to three years had "a highly significant positive impact in reducing the rate at which patients developed brain abnormalities, or lesions, visible on MRI scans" compared to placebo, according to the company. Biogen plans to apply for an expanded label to reflect this early treatment regime