UK's NICE says 'yes' to Genzyme's MS drug Lemtrada

In final draft guidance, UK drugs watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of French drug major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) subsidiary Genzyme’s multiple sclerosis drug Lemtrada (alemtuzumab).

The NICE is appraising alemtuzumab as a treatment for adults with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, a chronic and disabling neurological condition that, as it progresses, can have a substantial negative impact on a person’s quality of life.

Currently available treatments for this type of MS are either oral daily tablets or injections given several times each week and can have unpleasant side effects. The NICE pointed out. Alemtuzumab is taken intravenously once a year for two years. The first course is administered for five consecutive days, and the second course is administered for three consecutive days, 12 months later allowing those with the condition to lead their lives without treatment for the rest of the time. Alemtuzumab does have some possible side effects associated with it which, according to clinical specialists, are manageable. Compared with most available treatments, alemtuzumab has a shorter time period during which it is not recommended that a person gets pregnant. This could be seen as advantageous for patients who are planning to have a baby.