Biogen Idec, Abbott enroll patients in late-stage trial for MS drug

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Swiss biotech company Biogen Idec and U.S. drug maker Abbott have begun enrolling patients in a late-stage clinical trial of a treatment for multiple sclerosis, the two companies said Monday.

The companies announced enrollment of the first of 1,500 patients in a phase 3 study of daclizumab, for treating relapsing and remitting MS, the most common form of the disease. The study, to be conducted in 28 countries, will compare daclizumab with Biogen Idec’s Avonex (interferon beta-1a).

Under an agreement between the two companies, Biogen Idec will make a milestone payment of $30 million to Abbott.