Late-stage clinical data support experimental MS drug, say Teva, Active Biotech

JERUSALEM — Late-stage clinical data support the efficacy of an experimental drug under development by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Active Biotech for multiple sclerosis, the two companies said.

At the 29th congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis in Copenhagen last week, Teva and Active presented phase-3 data from two studies that they said supported the hypothesis that oral administration of the drug laquinimod once per day may have an effect on inflammation and underlying mechanisms that result in progression of relapsing-remitting MS. Of the four types of MS, relapsing-remitting is the most common.

"Continued analysis of the Allegro and Bravo phase-3 studies demonstrates that the trend of efficacy results was maintained in the analysis of data pooled from the two studies and is consistent with the proposed mechanism of action for laquinimod," Teva president of global research and development and chief scientific officer Michael Hayden said. "Teva remains committed to the laquinimod clinical development program in MS and in other diseases characterized by a neurodegenerative pathology and to addressing the needs of these patients worldwide."