EP is a community where members connect through shared life experiences-- like MS--and so much more. You are not defined by any one thing, so be your true self and find others just like you at
Experience Project.
Rituxan Joins List of Treatments That Fail for Severe Form of MS
By KEITH J. WINSTEIN
April 15, 2008; Page B9
Rituxan, a top-selling drug from Genentech Inc. and Biogen Idec Inc., failed to slow the course of the most severe form of multiple sclerosis in a large study, the companies said.
The findings make Rituxan at least the sixth unsuccessful attempt to treat so-called primary-progressive MS, or PPMS. In the U.S., about 35,000 to 40,000 people have primary-progressive MS, out of roughly 350,000 to 400,000 total MS patients.
There are no approved treatments for PPMS. Genentech and Biogen had hoped that Rituxan -- which is approved for blood cancer and rheumatoid arthritis -- might become the first such treatment. The drug costs about $20,820 a year at the dosage used.
But in the companies' study, which followed 439 patients for 96 weeks, Rituxan didn't significantly slow the course of the disease, which gradually robs patients of motor function and causes tremors, tingling and fatigue. Secondary results -- like whether Rituxan improved MRI scans of patients' brains -- weren't released.
"We are disappointed in the outcome of the primary endpoint, but not surprised given the significant clinical challenges presented by PPMS," said Hal Barron, chief medical officer at Genentech, in a statement.
A successful result could have yielded $236 million to $359 million in annual sales to the two companies, according to a Bear Stearns estimate. Genentech gets 60% of the profits from Rituxan, with 40% going to Biogen. Total sales were $2.3 billion last year.
In a smaller study last year, Rituxan slowed down the less-severe form of MS, which has several approved drugs, including Biogen's Avonex and Tysabri. The companies have disagreed over what to do next. The matter is subject to an arbitration hearing this summer.
Rituxan is being studied in lupus, another immune-system disease with few treatment options. Genentech has said results may be released within a few weeks.
Write to Keith J. Winstein at keith.winstein@wsj.com _________________ Keep smiling as who knows what good things might be around the corner and if the road snakes a bit keep going.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
We encourage you to also visit our Multiple Sclerosis story and support community on Experience Project.
Experience Project is a vast and powerful community where people connect anonymously through life experiences. It's made by the same people who built This is MS,
on the premise that no one life experience-- like having MS-- defines a person. It now covers over 2 million life stories. Find and share yours!
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
