( Interim analysis of Phase 2 comparative...)Genzyme and Bayer HealthCare Announce Detailed Interim Two-Year,Alemtuzumab in Multiple Sclerosis Data Presented at AAN,Health

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and WAYNE, N.J., May 02, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genzyme Corporation and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceutical today announced detailed interim results from the CAMMS223 Phase 2 study. This interim analysis of all patient data through at least twenty-four months from the start of the study for all patients showed that a once-yearly cycle of alemtuzumab treatment had a statistically significant impact on reducing the frequency of relapses and the sustained accumulation of disability in early active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients compared to Rebif(R) (interferon beta-1a).

The data were presented yesterday at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in Boston by Dr. Alasdair J. Coles, Ph.D., MRCP, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. This is the first time that an analysis of the primary and secondary endpoints has been presented in full.

Dr. Coles' presentation showed patients taking alemtuzumab at the high dose experienced an 87 percent reduction in the risk for relapse (p<0.0001) and a 66 percent reduction in the risk for progression of clinically significant disability (p<0.0098) when compared to patients treated with Rebif. At the low dose, patients taking alemtuzumab experienced similar results, with a 72 percent reduction in the risk for relapse (p<0.0001) and an 88 percent reduction in the risk for progression of clinically significant disability (p<0.0008) compared with patients treated with Rebif. Patients in both alemtuzumab arms also achieved a statistically significant reduction in disability compared with their pre-treatment baseline, as measured by their Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.

"Although several therapies are already available to treat MS, patients stil
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