Serono points to increased Rebif sales

Serono has announced that worldwide sales of Rebif, its interferon beta-1a treatment for multiple sclerosis, have increased by 10.9 per cent as the company released its latest quarterly results.

The Swiss pharmaceutical and biotechnology firm also said that it was transferring atacicept into phase II clinical trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, Serono said atacicept had shown positive results in preliminary data for a phase Ib trial in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic and debilitating autoimmune disease.

Atacicept is also undergoing clinical trials for other treatment uses, including B-cell malignancies. The drug is part of a joint venture between Serono and ZymoGenetics.

Rebif sales were helped by the European Commission’s decision to revise the indication labelling for the drug so that multiple sclerosis patients will be able to receive the drug after one recorded attack and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Serono said it hoped to increase its market share of Raptiva, which is described as the only biological for the treatment of psoriasis. However, sales in Novantrone, the multiple sclerosis treatment, decreased by 70.4 due to the introduction of a generic form of the drug.

Ernesto Bertarelli, Serono’s chief executive officer, remarked: “We have a solid business platform generating strong cash flow, as well as the financial strength and capability to execute value-creating transactions.”

“We are entering an exciting, new chapter at Serono and I am confident that we will achieve our strategy for growth,” he added.

Serono concentrates on products in four areas: multiple sclerosis, reproductive health, dermatology and growth and metabolism treatments, especially for those with HIV-related wasting and growth deficiencies.

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