Biogen rival to Teva's Copaxone takes further step forward

Trial results show no safety concerns about Biogen's MS treatment BG-12.

Biogen Idec (BIIB) published further preliminary details today of the trial of its orally administered treatment for multiple sclerosis, BG-12. The drug will be competition for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.'s (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) flagship product Copaxone. Initial findings indicate no concerns about the safety of the drug, and it was found effective when taken two or three times daily.

First results of the trial of Biogen's drug were released in April, and showed that taking it twice daily led to a 53% reduction in relapse rates. Biogen's MS treatment is likely to hit Teva's Copaxone, administered by injection, and development of Teva's orally administered MS treatment Laquinimod, severely.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 5, 2011

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011

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