Elan dismisses virus link to drug

IRISH pharmaceutical firm Elan has dismissed new research from the Harvard Medical School claiming its multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment, Tysabri, “awakens” a virus that causes brain disease and slows the bodies natural defences.

The research, by the school’s Dr Igor Koralnik, was based on a survey of 19 Tysabri users in the US.

Around 56,000 people use the drug on a global basis.