Image via WikipediaWikinvest--Biogen Idec (BIIB)
Wikinvest--Elan (ELN)
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)--severe brain infection problem associated with Tysabri that had resulted in a few deaths, Anti-JC Virus Assay was a Key Compenent in Tysabri Clinical Trials
This is good news for the MS community as patients will now have some assurance that their experimental medicine will not cause PML because of a new Anti-JC Virus Test.
Tysabri problems in the past: Another Tysabri Brain Infection Reported: 8th PML Infection Since Re-Launch
Data Further Supporting Anti-JC Virus Antibody Assay Presented at the 26th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis
Posted on: Saturday, October 16, 2010 -
GOTHENBURG, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) today announced data further supporting the potential clinical utility of an investigational assay that detects anti-JC virus (JCV) antibodies in human plasma or serum. The detection of anti-JCV antibodies may provide a means to segment, or stratify, multiple sclerosis (MS) patients considering or receiving treatment with TYSABRI® (natalizumab) and assess their risk for developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare, but serious, brain infection. These data have been presented at the 26th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Gothenburg, Sweden.
