Biogen Idec reports positive data from MS drug trial

Biogen Idec has announced new data from a number of clinical trials that are evaluating the safety and efficacy of BG-12, a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).

A pre-specified analysis of integrated data from the phase III Define and Confirm studies has shown that the dimethyl fumarate-based treatment delivered statistically significant reductions in multiple sclerosis relapses and progression of disability, as well as in magnetic resonance imaging measures of disease activity.

Meanwhile, interim data from the phase III extension study Endorse showed that the investigational therapy's safety and tolerability performance remains consistent with that seen in previous trials.

Dr Alfred Sandrock, senior vice-president for development sciences and chief medical officer of Biogen Idec, said: "If approved, dimethyl fumarate may provide a broad range of MS patients with an effective therapy that offers the ease of oral administration and an acceptable tolerability profile."

This comes after the firm also recently announced new results from a number of studies of the approved MS drug Tysabri, underlining its positive benefits for people affecting by relapsing forms of MS.