Biogen Idec receives EU approval for Tecfidera

Biogen Idec has announced that its new multiple sclerosis therapy Tecfidera has been approved by the European Commission.

The regulator has ratified the drug as a first-line oral treatment for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the most common form of the disease. As such, the company will begin to introduce Tecfidera in initial EU countries in the coming weeks.

Tecfidera was first approved in the US in March 2013 and became the country's number one prescribed oral therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis after six months. It is the fourth treatment for this disease from Biogen Idec.

Data from the global phase III clinical trials Define and Confirm show the drug is able to significantly reduce important measures of disease activity, including relapses and the development of brain lesions, as well as slowing disability progression.

Dr George Scangos, chief executive officer of Biogen Idec, said: "We already have seen Tecfidera's significant impact on transforming the standard of care for multiple sclerosis where it is available and are excited to quickly bring its benefits to patients in the EU as well."

Strong sales of Tecfidera, Avonex and Tysabri helped the company to achieve a 26 percent year-on-year revenue increase during the 2013 business year.