Replies to post #110579 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Teva reports 5-year Copaxone data on brain volume:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Significant-Reduced-Loss-of-bw-425968368.html?x=0&.v=1

Though all DMT treatment arms resulted in a reduction in brain volume loss compared to the control group of non-treated patients, COPAXONE® had a significantly better effect than both low and high dose interferons, in reducing loss of brain volume. A paper published by Dr. Omar Khan, detailing the study findings, “Effect of disease-modifying therapies on brain volume in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: Results of a five-year brain MRI study,” was recently published in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences.

The interferon treatments in the study included Avonex, Betaseron, and Rebif.

All told, these data don’t mean much from a business standpoint, IMO. The MS market has been gradually moving away from interferon usage, so new data that Copaxone is better than the interferons is unlikely to affect the choice of therapy in a material way.