Elan and Biogen Idec resume safety study on Tysabri

Elan Corporation and its partner Biogen Idec have confirmed that they have resumed a safety study on their controversial MS drug Tysabri.

The companies had voluntarily suspended trials of the drug last year after two patients who had taken Tysabri died from a rare brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to sanction the re-introduction of the drug later this year following the unanimous recommendation of an advisory sub committee of the FDA.