Avonex News and Research

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Avonex is a form of a protein called beta interferon that occurs naturally in the body. It is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. It will not cure your MS but may decrease the number of flare-ups of the disease and slow the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS. MS is a life-long disease that affects your nervous system by destroying the protective covering (myelin) that surrounds your nerve fibers.

Out-of-pocket drug costs soar for Medicare patients with multiple sclerosis

Over the course of a decade, out-of-pocket costs for multiple sclerosis drugs rose more than sevenfold for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, according to a JAMA Neurology study published today by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh.

26 Aug 2019

Can insurers use genetic testing results? A reader wants to know

This week, I answer questions from readers concerned about health insurance roadblocks in the face of a serious illness or medical crisis.

10 Jul 2018

Ozanimod effective against multiple sclerosis, enters New Drug Approval process with FDA

Celgene Corporation recently announced results from two phase 3 trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of the drug ozanimod.

10 Nov 2017

Zinbryta gets FDA approval for treating adults with relapsing forms of MS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Zinbryta (daclizumab) for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Zinbryta is a long-acting injection that is self- administered by the patient monthly.

28 May 2016

New study shows 'alarming rise' in costs of MS drugs over last 20 years

A new study shows an "alarming rise" over the last 20 years in the costs of drugs used to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis or reduce the frequency of attacks, according to a study led by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and Oregon State University.

25 Apr 2015

Dimethyl fumarate offers no added benefits for adults with RRMS

Dimethyl fumarate has been approved since January 2014 for adults with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

8 Aug 2014

Biogen Idec's revenue increases 51% to $2.1 billion in first quarter 2014

Biogen Idec Inc. today reported first quarter 2014 results, including revenue of $2.1 billion, a 51% increase compared to the first quarter of 2013.

23 Apr 2014

Biogen Idec, UCB sign agreements to commercialize treatment of MS and hemophilia in Asia

Biogen Idec and UCB announced today that they have signed exclusive agreements granting UCB the right to commercialize Biogen Idec products in South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan, and both develop and commercialize products in China.

30 Jan 2014

LA BioMed receives grant to study role of serum Vitamin A in people with multiple sclerosis

Some 2.5 million people around the world have multiple sclerosis (MS), a potentially debilitating disease in which the body's immune system destroys the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerves.

6 Jan 2014

New data show positive results from Phase 4 study of Avonex Pen for treatment of RRMS patients

New data presented at the 6th Pan Asian Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, show positive preliminary results from PERSIST, a 12-month, Phase 4 clinical study of once weekly Avonex Pen for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

13 Nov 2013

Biogen Idec Q3 total revenues increase 32% to $1.8 billion

Biogen Idec Inc. today reported third quarter 2013 total revenues of $1.8 billion, an increase of 32% over the third quarter of 2012. Non-GAAP diluted EPS for the third quarter of 2013 were $2.35, an increase of 23% over the third quarter of 2012.

28 Oct 2013

Biogen acquires TYSABRI stake from Elan

Biogen Idec today announced it has completed its purchase of Elan Corporation's interest in TYSABRI (natalizumab) and has gained full strategic, commercial and decision-making rights to TYSABRI.

3 Apr 2013

FDA accepts Genzyme’s LEMTRADA sBLA for review

Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the company's supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) file seeking approval of LEMTRADA (alemtuzumab) for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).

28 Jan 2013

Biogen Idec announces availability of two new AVONEX dosing innovations for MS

Biogen Idec announced that two new dosing innovations designed to help patients receiving once-a-week AVONEX (interferon beta-1a) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) are now available in U.S. pharmacies.

15 May 2012

Biogen Idec first quarter revenues increase 7% to $1.3 billion

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

2 May 2012

Biogen Idec announces new easier to use injection for multiple sclerosis

The Food and Drug Administration approved the company's Avonex pen, an injection designed to reduce pain and anxiety when patients self-administer the drug. The FDA also approved a new dosing schedule for the drug intended to reduce flu-like symptoms often associated with the drug.

29 Feb 2012

Biogen Idec receives FDA approval for two separate dosing innovations to treat MS

Today Biogen Idec announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two separate dosing innovations designed to improve the treatment experience for patients receiving once-a-week AVONEX for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

28 Feb 2012

Biogen Idec 2011 total revenues increase 7% to $5.0 billion

Biogen Idec Inc., a global biotechnology leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative therapies, today announced its full year and fourth quarter 2011 results.

1 Feb 2012

Biogen Idec third quarter revenues increase 11% to $1.3 billion

Biogen Idec Inc., a global biotechnology leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative therapies, today announced its third quarter 2011 results.

28 Oct 2011

COPAXONE reduces loss of brain volume in patients with RRMS

Results from a five-year study of treatment-naïve patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) demonstrated that patients treated with COPAXONE (glatiramer acetate injection) showed significant reduced loss of brain volume compared to patients treated with other disease modifying therapies.

12 Oct 2011