Merck Serono to launch new self-administered MS treatment

Merck Serono is launching a new self-administered treatment option for multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers, based on its disease-modifying drug Rebif.

RebiDose is a single use pre-filled pen containing Rebif and has been designed to provide MS patients with a quick and simple means of receiving treatment while they are travelling.

The therapy option has demonstrated its advantages in a recent user trial, in which a majority of test subjects found the pen to be easy to use and reliable, while most also said they would continue using RebiDose once it became available.

It has received approval from healthcare regulators in the EU and Australia and will be rolled out on a country-by-country basis, with the first launch to occur before the end of 2010.

Roberto Gradnik, head of the neurodegenerative diseases global business unit at Merck Serono, said: "We are pleased to extend our range of devices with RebiDose to meet the needs of patients looking for simple and minimum injection preparation."

Earlier this month, the company received European Commission approval for Cyanokit, a new means of treating cyanide poisoning.