Bayer Schering reveals Betaferon study results

Pharmaceutical firm Bayer Schering Pharma has published results regarding its treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).

The study of more than 6,000 patients found that the appearance of neutralising antibodies (Nabs) did not always provide an indication of the individual’s clinical response to the Betaferon therapy.

Published in the Journal of International Medical Research, the trial represented the largest ever collection of data in relation to analysing the effects of Nabs on beta therapy.

“While it is unclear how these findings might apply to other beta interferon therapies, these data underscore the fact that decisions regarding Betaferon treatment should be based on the clinical circumstances of the individual patient,” commented Dr Douglas Goodin, lead author of the study and professor of neurology at the University of California.

Meanwhile, the executive vice president of specialised therapeutics at the German pharmaceutical firm also noted that the results show that treatment decisions should not be made upon the actual or predicted presence of Nabs.

Nabs can connect themselves to injected drugs, including beta treatments for patients with MS and could potentially inhibit the compound’s activity within the body.

In other news at Bayer Schering Pharma, the company showcased its latest male healthcare treatments at a press conference during the annual meeting of the European Association of Urology.