Positive five-year data for Genzyme's MS drug Lemtrada

Positive new five-year investigational data from the extension study of Lemtrada(alemtuzumab) for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) will be presented today at the 31st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Barcelona, Spain, by Genzyme, the biotech subsidiary of French pharma major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN).

In RRMS patients treated with Lemtrada in the Phase III pivotal studies, the effects observed in the two-year trials were maintained through three additional years in the extension study (years three, four and five). After the initial two courses of treatment in the pivotal studies, which were given at month zero and at month 12, 68% of Lemtrada patients from CARE-MS I and 60% from CARE-MS II did not receive additional Lemtrada treatment during the following four years, through month 60.

Through year five, the incidence of most adverse events during the extension study was comparable or reduced compared with the pivotal studies. The frequency of thyroid adverse events was highest in year three and declined thereafter.

Lemtrada compared with Rebif