Data support continued laquinimod trials, but not in MS

Israeli firm Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE: TEVA) and partner Active Biotech (NORDIC: ACTI) have announced results from a Phase III trial into laquinimod as a treatment for multiple sclerosis, which show the primary endpoint was not met.

While there were some more encouraging data for the companies on the secondary endpoints, it was not enough to prevent a slide in the Swedish firm’s share price, which lost about two thirds of its value today.

Michael Hayden, chief scientific officer at Teva, said: “We have learned a great deal from the trial and we will continue our analysis of the data.”