Bayer is researching IGIV as a treatment for MS. Note that a few studies have already been done showing that this is an effective treatment, but the dosage (and efficacy) is to be determined in this trial. Note that, like Antegren, this is a monthly IV-- hope for an end to frequent pinpricks is in sight...
"Bayer HealthCare LLC, Biological Products Division (Bayer BP), has closed enrollment in the first industry-sponsored trial to evaluate immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Under an Investigational New Drug application (IND) submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the multi-national clinical trial will assess the efficacy and safety of Gamunex®, Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified, in RRMS.
Other data in this field, including published studies, point to IGIV as potentially effective in the treatment of RRMS. Most recently, a retrospective analysis of 300 patient medical records conducted in Germany and Austria documented use of IGIV in the treatment of RRMS. The analysis showed IGIV significantly reduced the annual relapse rate by 69 percent compared with the two years prior without IGIV treatment. In addition, a meta-analysis of four randomized, placebo-controlled trials of IGIV in patients with RRMS conducted in Europe and published in the journal Neurological Sciences in 2003 showed positive results for primary endpoints, including relapse rate, new MRI lesions, and disease progression. The author concluded IGIV is an alternative second-line treatment to approved therapies in relapsing-remitting MS, but the ideal dosage of IGIV still needs to be determined..."
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Clinical Trial Investigates Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis With Gamunex(R), Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified
Tuesday May 11, 6:01 am ET
Data from International IGIV Monthly Infusion Study to be Available in 2005
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer HealthCare LLC, Biological Products Division (Bayer BP), has closed enrollment in the first industry-sponsored trial to evaluate immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Under an Investigational New Drug application (IND) submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the multi-national clinical trial will assess the efficacy and safety of Gamunex®, Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified, in RRMS. The study includes 120 patients participating from many regions of the world, including North America, eastern and western Europe, and Israel.
Other data in this field, including published studies, point to IGIV as potentially effective in the treatment of RRMS. Most recently, a retrospective analysis of 300 patient medical records conducted in Germany and Austria documented use of IGIV in the treatment of RRMS. The analysis showed IGIV significantly reduced the annual relapse rate by 69 percent compared with the two years prior without IGIV treatment. In addition, a meta-analysis of four randomized, placebo-controlled trials of IGIV in patients with RRMS conducted in Europe and published in the journal Neurological Sciences in 2003 showed positive results for primary endpoints, including relapse rate, new MRI lesions, and disease progression. The author concluded IGIV is an alternative second-line treatment to approved therapies in relapsing-remitting MS, but the ideal dosage of IGIV still needs to be determined.
Multiple sclerosis affects 4.5 million people worldwide. While the cause of MS is unknown, it is considered to be an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Though a number of therapies for MS have become available during the past decade, additional treatment options are needed for those who still experience relapses. None of the FDA-approved therapies cure MS and all require injections on a daily to weekly basis. In RRMS, patients relapse and experience episodes of impaired neurological function. Relapses are followed by partial or complete remissions without symptoms. RRMS is the most common form of MS, affecting 85 percent of all patients at the time of initial diagnosis.
"Although there are approved therapies that reduce the frequency of relapses in RRMS patients, they only are partially effective and require, at least, weekly injections," said lead investigator, Fred D. Lublin, M.D., director, Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York. "This study will determine whether monthly Gamunex infusions are a viable therapy option for RRMS patients."
Bayer's current clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled design and compares patients receiving Gamunex, Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified, at two different doses to determine if a marked reduction in relapses of their disease occurs. The trial includes people 18 to 55 years old who have had RRMS for up to five years and have not received treatment with other approved MS therapies or IGIV within the past three months. The study began in December 2002 and is expected to conclude in 2005.
Each vial of Gamunex contains antibodies purified from the donated blood plasma of thousands of people and can be a lifesaving anti-infective or immunomodulatory therapy to treat people with compromised or malfunctioning immune systems. Gamunex is indicated for the treatment of patients with primary humoral immune deficiency (PI)(a), a group of diseases caused by genetic defects in the immune system. Gamunex also is indicated for the acute and chronic treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), an autoimmune condition characterized by a low platelet count, leading to occasional life-threatening bleeding episodes. The most common side effects noted during clinical trials for PI and ITP included headache, vomiting, fever, nausea, rash, and back pain.
In addition to the RRMS studies, Bayer also has invested in the development of clinical studies in other neurological disorders, such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). For additional information about the ongoing trials using Gamunex, Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified, or for full prescribing information, visit www.gamunex.com.
(a) Primary immunodeficiency diseases also are known as PI diseases, PIDD, and PID.
About Bayer HealthCare AG
Bayer HealthCare AG, a subgroup of Bayer AG with sales of approximately 8.3 billion Euro in 2003, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry.
The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health, Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diagnostics, and Pharmaceuticals. More than 34,000 people are employed by Bayer HealthCare worldwide.
Our aim is to discover and manufacture innovative products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Our products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing, and treating disease.
Information about Bayer Biological Products Division can be found at www.bayerbiologicals.com. For additional information on Gamunex, visit www.gamunex.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company, and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
Original article can be found here
Note: We have recently been notified of the following change:
"Talecris Biotherapeutics acquired the contributed
assets of Bayer HealthCare, LLC, Biological Products Division's plasma business, and launched its worldwide therapeutic proteins business on April 1, 2005. All plasma-derived products - including Gamunex1, Prolastin2, Plasbumin3, the
hyperimmune line (Fraction II)4, Koate DVI5, Plasmanate6, and Thrombate III -
related facilities, and employees are now functioning under the name Talecris Biotherapeutics.
The Kogenate? product line remains with Bayer Biological Products.
www.gamunex.com
www.plasbumin.com
www.prolastin.com
www.talecrisusa.com
www.talecrisdirect.com"
