Category Archives: MS Treatment

In this Oct. 29, 2014 image released by ABC, co-hosts from left, Whoopi Goldberg, Nicolle Wallace, Rosie Perez and Rosie ODonnell appear on the set of the daytime talk show The View, in New York. ABC says The View is ... more > Whoopi Goldberg and Rosie ODonnell traded fiery barbs on the set of The View during a discussion of what constituted racism that centered of President Obama and his wife and their recent descriptions of perceived discriminatory treatment. Specifically, the spat started after the two talked about Mr. Obamas claim that he was once mistaken for a valet. Ms. Goldberg said the presidents treatment was due to stupidity that some Americans dont even know what their own president looks like, the Daily Mail reported. But Ms. ODonnell said racism was likely at play and thats when Ms. Goldberg exploded. You are a white lady telling me what is racist to you, she said, the Daily Mail reported. And Ms. ODonnell returned fire, saying that she was also gay and had experienced discrimination and raising a black child. I have a black kid at my house, Whoopi, she said, the Daily Mail reported. I have a black kid I … Continue reading →

MITTEILUNG UEBERMITTELT VON BUSINESS WIRE. FUER DEN INHALT IST ALLEIN DAS BERICHTENDE UNTERNEHMEN VERANTWORTLICH. -Scientific Presentations Showcase InnovativeMS Medicines and Experimental Therapies- CAMBRIDGE, Mass. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 30.05.2014 -- Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) today announced that more than 60 company-sponsored presentations highlighting key data from its industry-leading portfolio of marketed and investigational multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies are being featured during two neurology conferences, further demonstrating its commitment to meeting the individual needs of MS patients and improving outcomes with research that addresses important efficacy and safety questions. Data are being presented during the annual meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) and the Sixth Cooperative Meeting with Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS; May 28 May 31 in Dallas, Texas); and the Joint Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) and European Neurological Society (ENS; May 31 June 3 in Istanbul, Turkey). Our research and development efforts over the past 30 years have positioned Biogen Idec at the forefront of MS innovation, and the scope of data we are presenting at CMSC/ACTRIMS and EFNS/ENS underscores our commitment to improving the lives of people living with MS, said Katherine Dawson, M.D., vice president, global … Continue reading →

MITTEILUNG UEBERMITTELT VON BUSINESS WIRE. FUER DEN INHALT IST ALLEIN DAS BERICHTENDE UNTERNEHMEN VERANTWORTLICH. European Commission Decision on Marketing Authorization Anticipated in 2H of 2014 PLEGRIDY May Offer People with MS a Combination of Efficacy, Favorable Safety Profile and Low Frequency Dosing Schedule CAMBRIDGE, Mass. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 23.05.2014 -- Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) today received a positive recommendation from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the marketing authorization of PLEGRIDY (peginterferon beta-1a), a pegylated interferon administered subcutaneously for adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The CHMPs positive opinion is now referred to the European Commission (EC), which grants marketing authorization for medicines in the EU. The CHMPs positive opinion for PLEGRIDY marks an important milestone in bringing a meaningful treatment advance to people with MS in the EU, said Douglas E. Williams, Ph.D., Biogen Idecs executive vice president of Research and Development. We believe PLEGRIDY will offer physicians and those living with MS a unique treatment option that combines efficacy, a favorable safety profile consistent with the established interferon class, and a once-every-two-week dosing schedule. The CHMP opinion is primarily based on Phase 3 data from ADVANCE, one of the … Continue reading →

MITTEILUNG UEBERMITTELT VON BUSINESS WIRE. FUER DEN INHALT IST ALLEIN DAS BERICHTENDE UNTERNEHMEN VERANTWORTLICH. Additional Real-World Data Show Tolerability Profile Consistent with Pivotal Studies CAMBRIDGE, Mass. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 30.04.2014 -- New data reinforce the efficacy of TECFIDERA in a wide range of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), as well as support its favorable safety and tolerability profile in the real-world setting. These data were presented by Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) at the 66th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual meeting in Philadelphia. A new post-hoc analysis from the Phase 3 studies, DEFINE and CONFIRM, reinforce that TECFIDERA can be effective in RRMS patients with high disease activity. In addition, new data from the Phase 4 MANAGE study show that gastrointestinal (GI) events experienced by patients in the clinical practice setting were mostly mild to moderate and generally manageable, and significantly decreased in prevalence within the first two months of TECFIDERA treatment. These new data further reinforce the benefits TECFIDERAs strong efficacy may bring to a wide range of people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), said Alfred Sandrock, M.D., Ph.D., group senior vice president and chief medical officer at Biogen Idec. In addition, as we gain even more … Continue reading →

Joan Hendry A teenager who allegedly stabbed his mother to death in White Gum Valley on Monday night may have had a psychotic episode after earlier seeking hospital treatment. The major crime squad is investigating the death of Joan Hendry, 52, who died after an apparent frenzied incident at her Stevens Street house just after 11.30pm. Ms Hendry's 19-year-old son Gabe Lang is in hospital with critical injuries from what are believed to be self-inflicted knife wounds. "We saw him come out and fall into a car bonnet with what looked like a stab wound on his neck," one neighbour said. Several neighbours said they heard screams coming from the house before the sound of sirens. Ms Hendry's partner Bruce Abbott and her daughter Rosie Lang were also injured in the incident that left a community bewildered and heartbroken. "It is such a tragedy and will be a big loss," Frank Sander, Ms Hendry's friend of more than 20 years, said. "People are looking for answers. "We called her Joanie the one and only - she was a very exquisite woman." More here: Killed mother sought help for son … Continue reading →

MITTEILUNG UEBERMITTELT VON BUSINESS WIRE. FUER DEN INHALT IST ALLEIN DAS BERICHTENDE UNTERNEHMEN VERANTWORTLICH. Additional Data Show Escalation to TYSABRI Following Relapse Improves Clinical Outcomes Compared to Remaining On or Switching Between First-Line Interferon Beta and Glatiramer Acetate CAMBRIDGE, Mass. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 01.05.2014 -- Biogen Idec(NASDAQ: BIIB) today announced that a post hoc analysis of data from the AFFIRM study shows TYSABRI (natalizumab) significantly increased the proportion of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients with confirmed improvement in walking speed (CIWS) relative to placebo at two years. Additional data from observational registry studies show that switching to TYSABRI after experiencing a multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse while taking interferon beta (IFN) or glatiramer acetate (GA) reduced the risk of future relapses and treatment discontinuation. These data were presented at the 66th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual meeting in Philadelphia, Pa. (April 26-May 3, 2014). We know that MS has a significant impact on ambulation a key concern for many people living with this disease which is why we analyzed data from AFFIRM to evaluate the potential impact of TYSABRI on walking speed, said Alfred Sandrock, M.D., Ph.D., group senior vice president and chief medical officer at Biogen Idec. TYSABRI was associated … Continue reading →

The Federal Government says the Australian-managed Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone will open tonight. In a statement, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australia is now managing the centre following the completion of construction by the United Kingdom. "Patients will be referred to the centre and in line with best practice it will commence operations with five beds," Ms Bishop said. "Operations will be gradually scaled up to full capacity at 100 beds under strict guidelines to ensure infection control procedures are working effectively and trained staff and safety practices are in place." Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced Australia would commit $20 million to the treatment centre last month, after criticism the Government had not done enough to respond to the humanitarian crisis. Ms Bishop said Australia would increase its support for the establishment of the centre, bringing the current contribution for the centre to $25 million. "I welcome New Zealand's contribution to the facility of NZ$2 million. Australia's total contribution to the Ebola response is now at $45 million," she said. A total of 6,583 people have died from the disease in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Sierra Leone has overtaken Liberia to report the most cases of the … Continue reading →

Researchers at Ohio State University originally developed Recovery Rapids a simple, Microsoft Kinect-based kayak simulator to provide cost-effective physical therapy for stroke victims. A recent grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will allow the team to explore options in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as well. Multiple sclerosis (often abbreviated to "MS") is a degenerative disease that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal column. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide and manifests itself in numerous ways, including vision loss and complications in motor function. There is no known cure for MS. In Recovery Rapids, patients control the direction of a kayak as it travels down a river, using the Microsoft Kinect to interact with items and the environment while dodging potential hazards like floating crates and other obstacles. The notion behind the game is to force the patient to use the limb affected with motor complications without the aid of their "good" limb a form of rehabilitation known as constraint-induced (CI) movement therapy. Working on the project are Lynne Gauthier, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at OSU, Associate Professor Robert Crawfis of the Computer Science and Engineering department, and grad student David Maung. … Continue reading →

By Suzanne Hodsden, contributing writer French-based pharmaceutical research company, Servier has invested an initial $47 million in GeNeuro for the development of GNbAC1, a biologic candidate undergoing testing as a multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy which currently in phase 2b testing. The treatment is the first of its kind and has the potential to revolutionize the ways that MS is clinically addressed. Under the terms of the agreement, Servier will finance phase 3 testing and global development costs. If the treatment proves successful, Servier has agreed to pay GeNeuro up to $480 million to reimburse sales milestones and future royalties. GNbAC1 is a humanized monoclonal antibody which targets MSRV-Env. According to GeNeuro, MSRV is typically latent but can be activated by certain outside triggers and viruses, such as Herpes or Epstein Barr. As a result, it expresses the envelope protein which instigates the progression of the disease. GeNeuro explains that scientists first discovered and isolated the MSRV-Env protein because it appeared in high concentrations in MS patients and correlated with the severity and progression of MS symptoms. GNbAC1 could potentially stop the progression of both relapsing remitting and progressive forms of MS by targeting the MSRV-Env protein without compromising a patients … Continue reading →

By Estel Grace Masangkay Novartis reported the latest findings from the Phase 3 trial of its drug Gilenya (fingolimod) in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), a difficult form of multiple sclerosis. Gilenya is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as first-line treatment for relapsing forms of MS in adult patients. The drug is approved in the EU for the treatment of highly active relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Gilenya is designed to target the focal and diffuse central nervous system (CNS) damage that is behind the loss of function in the disease. Its mechanism of action prevents cells which drive focal inflammation (known as peripheral action) while reducing diffuse damage by hindering the activation of harmful cells in the CNS. Addressing both focal and diffuse damage in relapsing MS is critical to preserving a patients physical and cognitive function. Earlier this year, Novartis announced positive results for the drug showing its efficacy across key measures of MS disease activity. However, the company reported disappointing results for the Phase 3 INFORMS study of Gilenya in PPMS. Data showed no significant difference between fingolimod and placebo on a combination of MS disability measures. The drugs safety profile was reported to be … Continue reading →