This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

For those in the UK some news on Tysabri. If NICE give approval, I imagine that Tysabri could be available in the UK starting spring next year.

Ian

http://www.mstrust.org.uk/news/article.jsp?id=1129

PS Harry - Biogen are taking over the world and there's nothing you can do about it. If you are bored with Tysabri - you could turn you attention to Rituximab.

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New MS drug on licensing fast track

Daily Post (Liverpool) - Aug. 31, 2006

A NEW drug to treat multiple sclerosis has been accepted for a fast-track assessment process by the Government's health watchdog.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) is assessing Natalizumab, marketed as Tysabri, under its faster Single Technology Assessment (STA) process.

The drug was licensed for use throughout the EU in June after clinical trials found it slowed the progression of the disease and reduced relapses.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society's chief executive, Simon Gillespie, said: "We welcome the news that Tysabri will go through Nice's STA process, which should ensure that a decision is taken over whether the NHS will fund this drug in the shortest possible time.

"Given the impressive results we believe there is a strong case for making it available on the NHS to those who stand to benefit."

Dr Gavin Giovannoni, of the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, said: "Natalizumab represents the most significant advance in MS treatment in nearly a decade."


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By coincidence, Dr Giovannoni is one of the MS neuros that I have seen / am in regular contact with. He is one of the best UK MS specialists and is being funded by the NMSS as part of its Promise 2010 initiative. He is being funded to develop treatments for the progressive phase of MS. He ran the MS / EBV seminar which I attended earlier this year.

I think we can sometimes forget that neuros also want to be able to give patients more effective treatments.

Ian