Sanofi and Genzyme’s Lemtrada given CHMP recommendation

Sanofi and its subsidiary Genzyme have announced that their new multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy Lemtrada has received a recommendation from Europe's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).

The European Medicines Agency-affiliated committee has endorsed the drug as a new treatment option for adult patients with relapsing remitting MS with active disease defined by clinical or imaging features.

Clinical studies have shown that Lemtrada can offer a better performance in reducing relapse rates than an established alternative.

Dr David Meeker, Genzyme's president and chief executive officer, said: "Expectations among the MS community are high for Lemtrada and with today's positive CHMP opinion, we are a step closer to making this very innovative treatment available for MS patients in Europe."

The CHMP also issued a positive opinion on new active substance designation for another Sanofi/Genzyme MS therapy, Aubagio, which was recommended for approval earlier this year.

This comes after Sanofi and Genzyme recently outlined their commitment to the global MS community on World MS Day, which was held at the end of May 2013.