Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) said today that a clinical trial showed that its oral multiple sclerosis drug Laquinimod sustained its effectiveness over several months.

Teva and Active Biotech (Nasdaq: OMX) reported the results of a 36-week active extension study which evaluated two doses of Laquinimod, an investigational, once-daily oral immunomodulator for the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

The clinical trial followed patients over a 36-week period following an earlier study. Patients switching from placebo in the original study to an active treatment of Laquinimod showed a 52% reduction in the mean number of GdE lesions, a marker of disease activity.

Treatment with Laquinimod was associated with a sustained reduction in relapse rate, no evidence of immunosuppression, and good safety and tolerability profile.

Lead study author Dr. Giancarlo Comi said, “The results from this extension study confirm the balanced efficacy, safety, and tolerability profile seen with Laquinimod to date.”

Laquinimod received Fast Track designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February, 2009.

Two global Phase III clinical studies, ALLEGRO and BRAVO, are currently ongoing, with results anticipated during the first quarter and third quarter of 2011, respectively.

Teva shares rose 1.1% in late morning trading on Nasdaq, reaching $54.08.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 20, 2010

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