MS treatment expected to be available here next year

THE MS treatment known as Tysabri, which is expected to generate €1 billion in annual sales for Elan, is expected to be available in Ireland late next year.

Tysabri, developed by Elan and Biogen Idec Inc and formerly called Antegren, produced a 66% reduction in relapse rates among patients in trials - significantly more than existing treatments.

Industry analysts at Morgan Stanley predicted Tysabri would pose a significant competitive threat to existing treatments, after the US Food and Drug Administration approved the medicine early yesterday morning.