Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) and Sweden's Active Biotech AB (OMX: ACTI) have begun enrolling patients in the Phase III clinical trial of oral laquinimod for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The companies plan to include 1,000 patients in the trial, which will last 2-3 years.
Teva already makes Copaxone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, and has had little success will an oral version of the drug, which has failed in two trials, including an improved version. The company therefore obtained a license for oral laquinimod from Active Biotech.
Teva Group VP global innovative resources Moshe Manor said, “The initiation of Phase III clinical trial is a critical milestone for Teva in our commitment to the MS community. We are excited about the development of Laquinimod, which together with Copaxone, will broaden our multiple sclerosis platform and position Teva as a leading company in the multiple sclerosis field.”
Teva is also investigating laquinimod for other autoimmune diseases, on the basis of various animal models.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 7, 2007
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