Athena Neurosciences Inc. will begin Phase III testing oftizanidine as a treatment for the spasticity associated withmultiple sclerosis, a trial similar to the clinical testing recentlycompleted by the drug's manufacturer, Sandoz, in the UnitedKingdom.

Athena, based in South San Francisco, Calif., has licensed U.S.and Canadian rights to the drug from Sandoz Pharma, whichmarkets it in more than 20 countries.

Tizanidine, which acts at the level of the spinal cord to relaxmuscles, may provide treatment for the spasticity that affectsmost people with MS, without the muscle weakness associatedwith current therapies.

The drug will provide a path to clinical development forAthena, which is researching treatments for Alzheimer'sdisease, stroke, head injury and MS.

Athena's stock (NASDAQ:ATHN) on Tuesday closed at $13.50,down 50 cents.

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