Teva’s Copaxone receives UK approval

Teva has announced its Copaxone treatment has received approval in the UK.

The product has been cleared by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, meaning it can also be supplied in 24 other European Union member states.

Used as a therapy for multiple sclerosis, the injectable drug – marketed by Teva and Sanofi Aventis – is used on patients who have a first clinical event that could indicate they have the condition.

A smiliar application for Copaxone to be used in the US is currently under review by the country’s Food and Drug Administration.

Last month, Teva’s Ribavirin treatment received positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency.

The organisation’s endorsement for the drug – which is used a therapy for hepatitis C – follows submission by the organisation in May 2008.

Based in Israel, Teva employs over 38,000 people around the world.

The company’s sales in 2007 were $9.4 billion (6.37 billion pounds).