MS treatment Zinbryta receives marketing authorisation

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated Biogen and AbbVie's marketing authorisation application (MAA) for Zinbryta.

A treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), the drug is now a step closer to becoming available for use in the European Union. 

Dr Michael Severino, executive vice-president of research and development and chief scientific officer at AbbVie, stated: "We are committed to bringing to market medicines that may provide remarkable impact for patients, and the EMA validation of the MAA for Zinbryta is an important step in accomplishing that mission for MS patients."

The MAA took into consideration the results of two clinical trials, in which 150mg of Zinbryta was administered subcutaneously to people with relapsing-remitting MS every four weeks.

Zinbryta is believed to work by reducing abnormally-activated T-cells and pro-inflammatory lymphoid tissue inducer cells, as well as increasing CD56bright natural killer cells, which play a vital role in helping to regulate the immune system.

It has been developed in collaboration by Biogen and AbbVie.