Expert Neurology Panel Weighs Impact of New Reports of PML in Multiple Sclerosis Patients on Tysabri

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 20 /EMWNews/ -- MedPredict, a global

provider of pharmaceutical competitive intelligence and market research,

has published a new report providing critical strategic insight for pharma

and biotech companies with a stake in the market for multiple sclerosis

(MS) therapies.



    Biogen/Elan's Tysabri has been under scrutiny due to two additional

reported cases of PML, a rare and potentially fatal brain disease

associated with use of the drug. MedPredict recently convened an expert

panel of neurologists to assess the significance of the PML cases, and the

effect on prescribing and development of new potent immunosurveillants.



    "Nobody at the Thought Leader level was surprised that there were more

new (PML) events," according to Jeff Berk, MedPredict's president. "At the

time of the reinstatement of the US license for Tysabri, the FDA Advisory

Committee stated that they expected there to be more events. Our panel

discusses whether that sentiment will translate to community-based

neurologists."



    The report also updates progress on other approaches to treatment of

MS, including:



    -- New interferons, integrin inhibitors, B-cell inhibitors, S1Ps,

fumarates, neuroprotection/neuroregeneration.



    -- The potential for vaccine or MAb approaches for the treatment or

prevention of multiple sclerosis.



    -- Which therapeutics in development to provide symptomatic benefits in

MS are the most likely winners.



    MedPredict's analysis also provides guidance for clinical trial design

in MS. "There have been a number of high-profile failed trials, both in

relapsing-remitting and in progressive MS," said Dr. Berk. "The panel talks

about strategies for improving the odds of success through better designs

and better metrics."



    Companies and partnerships discussed in this report include: Acorda,

Amgen/Epix, Artielle ImmunoTherapeutics, Avanir, BaroFold, Bayhill,

Bayer-Schering, Bayer-Schering/Genzyme, Biogen, Biogen/Elan,

Biogen/Genentech/Roche, Biogen/UCB, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, GSK,

GSK/Genmab, GSK/Mitsubishi Tanabe, Lilly/BioMS, Merck, Merck-Serono,

Novartis, Ono, Opexa, PDL/Biogen/Roche, Peptimmune, Roche/Actelion,

Roche/Genentech, Sanofi-Aventis, Teva/Merck-Serono, Teva.



    This report can be purchased by contacting MedPredict.

    About MedPredict



    MedPredict (http://www.medpredict.com) maintains a proprietary database

of over 1,000 global physician thought leaders, including 40+ specialties

in 30+ therapeutic categories. Based on primary interviews with these

thought leaders, MedPredict publishes periodic reports in each category to

keep clients up-to-date on emerging trends and competitive activity. The

reports include thought leader reactions to recent publications and medical

conferences, as well as clinical, regulatory and marketing activity.