Biogen ‘uses sports talent’ to promote MS campaign

Today (January 29th), Biogen Idec announced that it would be working with sports stars from American football and basketball to promote its campaign for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Tyler Campbell, son of former Houston Oiler and Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell, and Chris Wright, a former Dallas Maverick point guard, will act as patient advocates for the MSInspiration competiton.

The contest asks those with MS to submit their own inspirational stories – as Mr Campbell and Mr Wright have done – for a chance for it to appear on the website. Winners will also be able to meet one of the sports stars at an unnamed event.

Mr Campbell was on the road to follow in his father's footsteps when he noticed tingling and weakness, which led to his diagnosis of the disease.

"I hope to motivate someone else to keep pushing forward and never quit," he says in a video on MSInspiration.com.

Mr Wright, who currently plays basketball for the Italian team Libertas Pesaro, is the first NBA player to be diagnosed with MS.

Both are currently being treated with Biogen's Tysabri (natalizumab), which features heavily in the new campaign.

The firm purchased the drug from Elan Pharmaceuticals in February 2013 for $3.25 billion (2.15 billion pounds).