Its main income stream in that area comes from Zytiga (abiraterone acetate), the prostate cancer drug marketed by Johnson & Johnson, of New Brunswick, N.J. An approval for Paris-based Sanofi SA's Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) in multiple sclerosis also would provide an income boost

At the start of May, Elan was just about completing its transition from being a neurology-focused biotechnology firm to becoming an acquirer of companies and assets, with almost $2 billion of cash on a debt-free balance sheet and a steady income from royalties on sales of the blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri (natalizumab), which is now under the sole control of Biogen Idec Inc., of Weston, Mass. (See BioWorld International, May 1, 2013.) Shareholders gave the latest news a very

Programs in multiple myeloma, solid tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and multiple sclerosis are at Phase II

Biogen Idec Inc., of Weston, Mass., submitted a biologics license application to the FDA for Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a), the company's pegylated subcutaneous injectable candidate for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. (See BioWorld Today, Jan. 25, 2013

A case in point would be treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, an area where MS Ventures has funded a number of companies including Asceneuron, a specialist in Alzheimer's disease, Prexton Therapeutics, specializing in Parkinson's disease and Canbex Therapeutics Ltd., which is focused on spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis

Baliopharm GmbH, a subsidiary of Baliopharm AG, of Basel, Switzerland, joined the NEU2 Consortium with a project addressing the recombinant manufacturing of an Fc-free bispecific CD20-CD95 antibody construct (Novotarg) with selectivity for activated B cells and efficacy studies in disease models relevant to multiple sclerosis therapy

At the start of May, Elan was just about completing its transition from being a neurology-focused biotechnology firm to becoming an acquirer of companies and assets, with almost $2 billion of cash on a debt-free balance sheet and a steady income from royalties on sales of the blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri (natalizumab), which is now under the sole control of Biogen Idec Inc., of Weston, Mass. (See BioWorld International, May 1, 2013.) Shareholders gave the latest news a very

At the start of May, Elan was just about completing its transition from being a neurology-focused biotechnology firm to becoming an acquirer of companies and assets, with almost $2 billion of cash on a debt-free balance sheet and a steady income from royalties on sales of the blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri (natalizumab), which is now under the sole control of Biogen Idec Inc., of Weston, Mass. (See BioWorld International, May 1, 2013.) Shareholders gave the latest news a very

Shares of Xenoport Inc. (NASDAQ:XNPT) dropped almost to the bottom of their 52-week range early Monday, opening at $5.04 after the company terminated its late stage arbaclofen placarbil (AP, previously XP19986) program in spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS) after a pivotal Phase III trial failed to demonstrate statistically significant improvement compared to placebo

A case in point would be treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, an area where MS Ventures has funded a number of companies including Asceneuron, a specialist in Alzheimer's disease, Prexton Therapeutics, specializing in Parkinson's disease and Canbex Therapeutics Ltd., which is focused on spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis

and Pfizer to co-promote the multiple sclerosis drug Rebif The deal is extended until Dec. 31, 2015, according to an appellate court ruling 4/16/13 Merck & Co

Baliopharm GmbH, a subsidiary of Baliopharm AG, of Basel, Switzerland, joined the NEU2 Consortium with a project addressing the recombinant manufacturing of an Fc-free bispecific CD20-CD95 antibody construct (Novotarg) with selectivity for activated B cells and efficacy studies in disease models relevant to multiple sclerosis therapy

Receptos will use the proceeds to support clinical work in multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and allergic/immune-mediate disorders. (See BioWorld Today, May 10, 2013

GW Pharmaceuticals plc, of Porton Down, UK, received commercial approval for lead cannabinoid product Sativex in Italy for moderate to severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity medications

The pathway involved in pruritus occurs in other dermatological diseases and which also can be a symptom of post-hepatic neuralgia, multiple sclerosis, some anxiety disorders, and chronic liver and kidney diseases

The deal, which is expected to close in June, represents a major step forward in Dublin, Ireland-based Elan's ambitions to assemble what CEO Kelly Martin recently referred to as a "constellation of transactions," in the wake of its $3.25 billion disposal of its 50 percent stake in the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri (natalizumab) to erstwhile partner Biogen Idec Inc., of Weston, Mass. (See BioWorld Today, April 25, 2013.) Elan also will receive 18 percent of future sales of Tysabri up to $2

The deal, which is expected to close in June, represents a major step forward in Dublin, Ireland-based Elan's ambitions to assemble what CEO Kelly Martin recently referred to as a "constellation of transactions," in the wake of its $3.25 billion disposal of its 50 percent stake in the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri (natalizumab) to erstwhile partner Biogen Idec Inc., of Weston, Mass. (See BioWorld Today, April 25, 2013.) Elan also will receive 18 percent of future sales of Tysabri up to $2

MediciNova has said it will proceed with Phase IIb trials in progressive multiple sclerosis upon receipt of necessary funding

Xenetic Biosciences plc, of London, said it completed the Phase I safety study of multiple sclerosis vaccine candidate MyeloXen on six healthy volunteers with no adverse events