Promising Ph II data for Genzyme/Bayer's alemtuzumab

Findings from a mid-stage study suggest that leukemia drug Campath (alemtuzumab) can have a large and durable impact on patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, including restoring some lost function in many patients. Sold by US biotechnology major Genzyme and Germany's Bayer HealthCare, the monoclonal antibody reduced risk of relapse by 74% and the risk of sustained accumulation of disability by 71% compared to patients treated with the active comparator Merck KGaA's Rebif (high-dose interferon beta-1a). Importantly, the 334-patient study found that mean disability in the alemtuzumab cohort improved from baseline, whereas for those on Rebif it worsened. "Symptoms of multiple sclerosis result from an immune system attack on the protective insulation surrounding nerve fibers of the central nervous system. We believe alemtuzumab shuts down this immune system attack, treating the disease at its root cause," said lead investigator Alasdair Coles.