Neurologists eagerly await new oral treatment options for MS, such as EMD Serono's Movectro and Novartis' Gilenia

A new study, based on feedback gathered in an on-line survey completed by 100 neurologists in March this year, found that, among the disease modifying agents available, Biogen Idec's Tysabri (natalizumab) had the highest percent of neurologists indicating a recent increase in use.

However, according to the study from BioTrends - which covers the use of disease-modifying agents (DMAs) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as attitudes and perceptions toward these products, advantages and disadvantages, ideal patient types, barriers to growth and expected future use - fear of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) was noted as a leading obstacle to expanded use of the product by 80% of the respondents. Furthermore, patients on Tysabri are significantly more likely to be given a drug holiday compared to other brands and this is usually at the direction of the neurologist as opposed to patient request.

Oral formulations, along with improved efficacy and reduced disability progression, were identified as the greatest needs for new MS agents. Among nine therapies in development that were profiled in the research, interest was rated highest for Swiss drug major Novartis's Gilenia (fingolimod) and German drugmaker Merck KGaA/EMD Serono's Movectro (cladribine). More than one-quarter of the respondents indicated that Gilenia would likely be the product to offer the greatest value to their practice.