( Risk to confirmed EDSS progression redu...)Immediate Treatment of Early MS Patients with Betaferon,Significantly Delayed Permanent Disability,Health

Risk to confirmed EDSS progression reduced by 40 percent compared to delayed treatment

BERLIN, May 1, 2007 – Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany, announced today new data, which show that immediate initiation of Betaferon® (interferon beta-1b) treatment in patients with a first event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) can significantly reduce the risk of permanent neurological impairment as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) by 40 percent over three years compared to delayed treatment. These findings from the BENEFIT (BEtaferon in Newly Emerging multiple sclerosis For Initial Treatment) studies* were presented today at the American Academy of Neurology’s 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

“Some patients have already developed significant neurological damage when they first present with signs of MS, which can lead to accumulated disability later in life. The BENEFIT results clearly show that immediate treatment with Betaferon® initiated after the first clinical event can significantly reduce that damage, which could translate into a greater delay in the time it takes for patients to suffer from the debilitating consequences of MS,” said Dr. Mark S. Freedman, Professor of Neurology at the University of Ottawa and investigator of the study. “This is a truly novel finding that has not yet been demonstrated for any other immunomodulatory MS treatment, and underscores the urgent need to treat patients early rather than waiting for further signs of MS to develop. Physicians and patients should consider these unprecedented findings when making treatment decisions.”

“Immediate treatment” refers to treatment initiated after the first clinical event; “delayed treatment” is initiated after the second clinical event or after 2 years, whatever comes first.

“We are delighted that the BENEFIT study continues to deliver ground
'"/>




Page: 1 2 3 4
Related medicine technology :

1. Diagnosing Diabetes: Immediate HbA1c Results Improve Glycemic Control
2. OREXIGEN Therapeutics Announces Sustained-Release Formulation of Zonisamide Shows Improved Tolerability When Compared to Immediate Release Formulation
3. First of Its Kind Data Show: Immediate Treatment of Early MS Patients with Betaseron Significantly Delayed Permanent Disability
4. Point of Care Strep Tests Speed Treatment, Lower Costs
5. Rapid HIV Testing Increases Possibility of Treatment
6. Data Available From Erbitux Phase III Study in First-Line Treatment of Advanced Lung Cancer
7. Pixantrone Combination Therapy for First-line Treatment of Aggressive Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Results in Reduction in Severe Toxicities Including Heart Damage When Compared to Doxorubicin-based Therapy
8. AVI BioPharma Partner Cook Medical Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment for APPRAISAL Phase II Clinical Trial for Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
9. BusinessWeek Article Highlights Promising Breakthrough Treatment for Advanced Coronary Artery Disease
10. TransPharma Medical Announces Positive Results of Phase I Clinical Trials for Transdermal Delivery of hPTH (1-34) for Osteoporosis Treatment
11. TMC125 Showed Significant Virologic Response at Week 24 in Treatment-Experienced HIV Patients With NNRTI Resistance in Phase 3 Trials