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Biogen Idec’s multiple sclerosis drug Plegridy gets European approval

US-based biotechnology firm Biogen Idec (BIIB) has received marketing authorization from the European Commission (EC) for Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) to treat adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

According to the company, Plegridy can be taken by injection once every two weeks and administered under the skin with a prefilled auto-injector.

Biogen Idec chief executive officer George Scangos said Plegridy provides people living with MS an interferon with compelling efficacy that requires considerably fewer injections than other platform therapies.

"The approval of PLEGRIDY demonstrates our commitment to improving the lives of patients by providing innovative therapies that meet their individual needs, including flexibility in managing their disease," Scangos said.

Plegridy is an interferon drug, which has been proven to significantly reduce important measures of disease activity, including a number of relapses, MRI brain lesions and disability progression.

The European approval is based on results from one of the largest pivotal studies of a beta interferon conducted, ADVANCE clinical trial, which involved over 1,500 patients with relapsing forms of MS.

In the trial, Plegridy, dosed once every two weeks, significantly reduced annualized relapse rate (ARR) at one year by 36% compared to placebo.