Biogen Idec receives EU approval for Avonex Pen

Biogen Idec has been granted European regulatory approval for a new administration option for its relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment Avonex.

The European Commission has ratified the Avonex Pen – a single-use fully-integrated intramuscular autoinjector – for sale, with the product set to be released in various countries over the next few weeks.

It is designed to make the injection process simpler and less intimidating for patients, giving them greater independence and control over their own treatment, while also incorporating numerous safety features.

Approval was based in part on positive data from a phase IIIb trial demonstrating the Avonex Pen's safety and efficacy, while it was also shown that the vast majority of patients preferred it to the Avonex Prefilled Syringe system.

Dr Douglas Williams, executive vice-president for research and development at Biogen Idec, said: "We strive to meet the needs of all MS patients by harnessing our extensive expertise in neurology and through our commitment to research and innovation."

This week Biogen Idec also published a study showing that titrating doses of Avonex at the beginning of treatment can help patients to avoid experiencing flu-like symptoms.