Teva and Active Biotech Remain Committed to the Development of NERVENTRA® (laquinimod) for Multiple Sclerosis …

JERUSALEM & LUND, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA) and Active Biotech (NASDAQ OMX NORDIC: ACTI) announced today that both companies remain committed to the NERVENTRA (laquinimod) clinical development program for multiple sclerosis (MS) following the announcement of a negative opinion for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The CHMP has concluded that the risk-benefit profile of NERVENTRA is not favorable at this time. In accordance with European regulations, Teva and Active Biotech intend to request a re-examination of the CHMP opinion. Teva and Active Biotech are focusing on evaluating the CHMPs review and will continue to liaise closely with the EMA in working to make NERVENTRA available as a new treatment option for patients with RRMS in Europe.

ABOUT NERVENTRA

NERVENTRA is a once-daily oral, investigational, CNS-active immunomodulator with a novel mechanism of action being developed for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and progressive MS (PMS). In extensive non-clinical and clinical studies NERVENTRA has demonstrated both anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties and effects that have been shown to provide clinically meaningful results. The global Phase III clinical development program evaluating NERVENTRA in MS includes two pivotal studies, ALLEGRO and BRAVO. A third Phase III NERVENTRA trial, CONCERTO, is evaluating two doses of the investigational product (0.6mg and 1.2mg) in approximately 1,800 patients for up to 24 months. The primary outcome measure will be time to confirmed disability progression as measured by the EDSS.

The safety profile of NERVENTRA is based on 2645 MS patients that have been exposed to NERVENTRA for a total duration of 7490.8 subject years, with a maximal duration of seven years. Very common or important adverse reactions include headache, abdominal pain, back and neck pain, appendicitis, and mild, asymptomatic laboratory abnormalities, including liver enzyme elevations, hematological changes, and elevation of CRP or fibrinogen levels. Potential risks include teratogenicity and carcinogenicity, both related to findings in rats, which are based on non-clinical data and have not been encountered in patients.

In addition to the MS clinical studies, NERVENTRA is currently in clinical development for Crohn's disease. Studies are also planned to study the efficacy, safety and tolerability of NERVENTRA in other neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntingtons disease.

ABOUT TEVA

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA) is a leading global pharmaceutical company, committed to increasing access to high-quality healthcare by developing, producing and marketing affordable generic drugs as well as innovative and specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Headquartered in Israel, Teva is the world's leading generic drug maker, with a global product portfolio of more than 1,000 molecules and a direct presence in about 60 countries. Teva's branded businesses focus on CNS, oncology, pain, respiratory and women's health therapeutic areas as well as biologics. Teva currently employs approximately 46,000 people around the world and reached $20.3 billion in net revenues in 2012.

ABOUT ACTIVE BIOTECH

Active Biotech AB (NASDAQ OMX NORDIC: ACTI) is a biotechnology company with focus on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and cancer. In pivotal phase is laquinimod, an orally administered small molecule with unique immunomodulatory properties for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Also tasquinimod for the treatment of prostate cancer, with a unique mode of action, is in pivotal phase. In addition, laquinimod has concluded Phase II development for Crohn's and Lupus. The company has two additional projects in clinical development, ANYARA primarily for the treatment of renal cell cancer and the orally administered compound paquinimod (57-57) for systemic sclerosis. Please visit http://www.activebiotech.com for more information.

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Teva and Active Biotech Remain Committed to the Development of NERVENTRA® (laquinimod) for Multiple Sclerosis ...