Biogen Idec and Elan drug subject of new report

Tysabri (natalizumab) from Biogen Idec and Elan is the subject of a new review by market research provider Datamonitor.

New research reveals uptake of the compound combined with the growth of Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) from Teva and the three beta-interferon brands has boosted the market value of the seven major multiple sclerosis treatments.

It rose by 15.1 per cent year-on-year to $5.3 billion (2.9 billion pounds) in 2007.

The Datamonitor report offers a strategic analysis on the impact of recent events on the future market for these drugs, with disease-specific sales forecasts for top industry brands.

“Despite the recent confirmation of two new cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, with a much stronger 200708 enrolment rate than previously anticipated and a greater level of confidence among opinion leaders, Datamonitor has upgraded its Tysabri’s forecast,” the report said.

Furthermore, the report also expressed positivity on fingolimod, the drug candidate from Novartis known as FTY720, predicting this compound would achieve the greatest sales of all products in this area currently in the later stage of development.

Last month, Biogen Idec and Elan celebrated the second anniversary of Tysabri as a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.