Avonex, Interferon Beta-1a News

Biogen Idec announced that two new dosing innovations designed to help patients receiving once-a-week AVONEX for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis are now available in U.S. pharmacies:     The new AVONEX PEN is the first intramuscular autoinjector for chronic use, designed to enhance the self-injection process for patients ... (more)

WESTON, Mass.-- --May 1, 2012 - Biogen Idec Inc. , a global biotechnology leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative therapies, today announced its first quarter 2012 results.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements were not associated with beneficial effects on disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, according to a report of a randomized controlled trial published Online First by Archives of Neurology .

According to a recent study, people who received injections of the multiple sclerosis drug interferon beta-1a directly after noticing signs of possible MS were less likely to progress into definite MS compared to those who switched to interferon beta-1a from placebo.

According to Novartis, the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has confirmed a positive benefit-risk profile for their once-a-day orally administered drug Gilenya .