Elan and Biogen Idec submit for Antegren approval

Pharmaceuticals giant Elan and drug developer Biogen Idec have announced plans to submit to the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) for approval of Antegren, a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).

The decision came after discussions with European regulatory officials, based on one-year data from ongoing drug trials.

Both companies intend to complete two-year trials but will not yet release the one-year data in order to protect the integrity of the trials.

Biogen Idec and Elan are collaborating equally in this drug development which is specifically for MS, Crohn's disease and rhematoid arthritis.

The companies are expected to submit a licence application in mid-2004 with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).