Tysabri
Generic name: natalizumab
Treatment for: Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
Biogen Idec and Elan Announce Intention to Submit for Approval for Multiple Sclerosis Based on One-Year Data
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & SAN DIEGO & DUBLIN, Ireland--February 18, 2004--Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc today announced that they expect to submit to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) an application for approval of Antegren (natalizumab) as a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The companies expect to submit the filing mid-year 2004.
The decision to file a Biologics License Application (BLA) was made after discussions with the FDA of one-year data from the two ongoing two-year Phase III trials in MS. The companies are committed to completing the two-year trials. To protect the integrity of the trials, the companies are not disclosing the one-year data at this time.
Biogen Idec and Elan are collaborating equally on the development of natalizumab for MS, Crohn's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
About the Antegren MS Clinical Trials
The AFFIRM (natalizumab safety and efficacy in relapsing-remitting MS) trial is a two-year, randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of approximately 900 patients, evaluating the ability of natalizumab to slow the progression of disability in MS and reduce the rate of clinical relapses. The SENTINEL (safety and efficacy of natalizumab in combination with Avonex (Interferon beta-1a)) trial is a two-year, randomized, multi-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of approximately 1,200 patients with relapsing-remitting MS, evaluating the effect of the combination of natalizumab and Avonex compared to treatment with Avonex alone in slowing the progression of disability and reducing the rate of clinical relapses. Both studies have protocols that included a one-year analysis of the data. The primary endpoints for both Phase III two-year trials in MS are based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and relapse rates. The pre-specified primary endpoint of the one-year analysis was relapse rates.
About Antegren (natalizumab)
Natalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, is the first alpha-4 antagonist in the new SAM (selective adhesion molecule) inhibitor class. The drug was designed to selectively inhibit immune cells from leaving the bloodstream and to prevent these cells from migrating into chronically inflamed tissue as occurs in a variety of inflammatory diseases. To date, approximately 2,800 patients have received natalizumab in clinical studies. In previous clinical trials, the following adverse events occurred more commonly with natalizumab when compared to placebo: headache, nausea, abdominal pain, infection, urinary tract infection, pharyngitis and rash. Serious adverse events have included infrequent hypersensitivity-like reactions.
Source: Elan Corporation, plc
Posted: February 2004
Related articles
- FDA Approves Tysabri to Treat Moderate-to-Severe Crohn's Disease - January 15, 2008
- Elan and Biogen Idec Announce That FDA Will Extend Regulatory Review Period for Tysabri for Crohn's Disease - October 15, 2007
- Joint FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Approval of Tysabri for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Crohn's Disease - August 1, 2007
- Tysabri Approved for Multiple Sclerosis - November 23, 2004
- FDA Accepts Biologics License Application for Antegren for Multiple Sclerosis - July 26, 2004
- Biogen Idec and Elan Submit Biologics License Application to the FDA for Approval of Antegren for Multiple Sclerosis Based on One-Year Data - May 25, 2004
Tysabri (natalizumab) FDA Approval History
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