Latest promising results on BG-12 pill
Published date: 24 Sep 2012 at 2:17PM
A pill being developed for relapsing remitting MS has shown considerable promise in two clinical trials, researchers announced this week.
The latest results announced come from two phase 3 clinical trials – the last phase of testing before a licence can be applied for. The studies, called DEFINE and CONFIRM, evaluated the effect of BG-12 on relapse rate, progression of disability, and various MRI brain scan measures of the damage caused by MS.
The studies found that in comparison with placebo (dummy pills) BG-12:
- reduces annual relapse rates by about 50 per cent
- significantly reduces the frequency of new brain lesions
- slows disability progression
The most common side effects reported were flushing, gastro-intestinal disorders and headache.
The manufacturers of BG-12, Biogen Idec, have submitted an application for Europe. If this application is successful, a licence may be granted during 2013.
Doug Brown, Head of Biomedical Research at the MS Society says, “It is fantastic to see more disease modifying drugs coming through the pipeline for people with relapsing remitting MS, particularly oral options such as BG-12 which looks which looks like it has a promising safety profile.”
The two studies were published last week in The New England Journal of Medicine.
It is fantastic to see more disease modifying drugs coming through the pipeline for people with relapsing remitting MS, particularly oral options.Dr Doug Brown, Head of Biomedical Research at the MS Society
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