Biogen wins U.S. approval of long acting multiple sclerosis drugBy Bill Berkrot NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. health regulators on Friday approved Biogen Idec Inc's Plegridy, a long-acting multiple sclerosis drug that the company expects will eventually replace its older big-selling Avonex treatment. Some other MS treatments from the interferon class of medicines, such as Pfizer Inc's Rebif, are dosed more frequently than Avonex. Biogen said it will continue to support Avonex, which has compiled global sales of more than $1.5 billion in the first half of this year, for patients who are comfortable with the treatment and not looking to switch. Avonex has U.S. patent protection until 2026, Biogen said.
Source: Biogen wins U.S. approval of long acting multiple sclerosis drug (http://news.yahoo.com/fda-approves-biogen-idecs-multiple-sclerosis-drug-223812903--finance.html)