Biogen Idec and AbbVie report positive multiple sclerosis drug data

Biogen Idec and AbbVie have announced positive top-line phase III clinical trial data for a new therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).

The Decide trial was designed to evaluate the superiority of once-monthly, subcutaneous daclizumab high-yield process (DAC HYP) compared to intramuscular interferon beta-1a in the treatment of the most common form of MS.

It was revealed that DAC HYP demonstrated a statistically significant 45 percent reduction in annualised relapse rate compared to the alternative therapy, meaning it met the primary efficacy endpoint in the trial.

Detailed results from Decide will be presented at a future medical conference. The companies will now be working with regulatory agencies to determine appropriate timelines for filing.

Gilmore O'Neill, vice-president of global neurology clinical development at Biogen Idec, said: "As a potential once-monthly therapy with a novel mechanism of action, we believe that, if approved, DAC HYP will be an important treatment option for people living with MS."

This comes after Biogen Idec received European approval for a new MS drug, Tecfidera, earlier this year.