Biogen Idec and Genentech announce top-line rituximab results

Biogen Idec and Genentech have announced the top-line from a phase II/III clinical trial of Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab) for primary-progressive multiple sclerosis.

The companies report that the compound did not meet its primary endpoint as measured by time to confirmed disease progression during the 96 weeks of treatment.

Both firms state that they will continue to analyse the results from the trial and will submit the data gleaned for presentation at an upcoming medical meeting.

Rituxan is a therapeutic antibody discovered by Biogen Idec that has been approved in the EU under the name MabThera in June 1998 as a treatment for relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Michael Panzara, vice-president and chief medical officer of the neurology strategic business unit at Biogen Idec, said: “While the primary results are not what we had hoped, we continue to believe in the potential of B cell therapy for patients living with multiple sclerosis.”

He added that there is no therapy with proven efficacy in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis, which is considered a difficult form of the disease to treat.

In January 2008, Biogen Idec and Elan announced new data on the use, safety and overall patient exposure of Tysabri (natalizumab) in patients with multiple sclerosis.