Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) and Australian company Antisense Therapeutics Ltd. (ASX: ANP) have announced positive trial results for a new treatment for multiple sclerosis.
In the trial, ATL/TV1102, a novel, anti-sense drug, significantly reduced disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Teva said that, on the basis of these results, it would conduct additional pre-clinical and clinical research before continuing to a Phase III study.
The Principal Investigator for the trial, Volker Limmroth MD PhD, Chairman of the Department of Neurology, Cologne City Hospitals, Germany, said, "The results of this international multi-center clinical study are very encouraging and demonstrate a highly significant effect for ATL/TV1102 on disease activity in MS patients." “Following these results, we are planning to continue the development of this new and exciting molecule designed to confirm the efficacy of ATL/TV1102,” said Moshe Manor, Teva's Group Vice President, Global Innovative Resources.
"We are very pleased with the results of this study. Achieving the primary endpoint to such a significant degree vindicates our efforts in developing this unique drug, the first to use antisense technology in the treatment of MS. We now look forward to continuing the development of ATL/TV1102 for MS with one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world", said Mark Diamond, Chief Executive Officer of Antisense Therapeutics Ltd.
Teva is responsible for funding and performing future development activities for ATL/TV1102. This decision by Teva to move forward with the development of ATL/TV1102 triggers a US$4 million milestone payment in accordance with the license agreement between Teva and ANP.
Last week, Teva announced Phase II results for another multiple sclerosis treatment, laquinimod. The results showed that laquinimod slowed the disease and was well-tolerated by people with the relapsing form of the condition.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on June 30, 2008
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