CardiovascularExperimental MS Drug Withdrawn From Trial
An experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) has been withdrawn from clinical trials after it failed to delay progression of the condition in a late-stage trial.
Dirucotide, manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co and BioMS Medical Corp, had earlier failed to meet a main goal in a mid-stage study, which tested whether the drug prevented symptoms returning among patients with relapsing remitting MS.
The drugmakers, which have been collaborating since late 2008 on dirucotide, said the latest negative results were seen in a study of the drug that involved 612 patients with secondary progressive (MS).
Patients in the study were divided into groups that received either dirucotide or a placebo intravenously every six months for two years.
In addition to failing its primary goal of delaying the time it took for the condition to worsen in patients, the drug also failed a number of secondary goals.
"We are obviously disappointed by this result and will be working closely with our clinical team to evaluate these data," BioMS Medical Chief Executive Kevin Giese said in a statement.
Multiple Sclerosis Society