Home News MS Medicine Tysabri’s PML count continues to climb, Now on 28
Tysabri’s PML count continues to climb, Now on 28 PDF Print E-mail
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Monday, 11 January 2010 14:16
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At least one more patient has been diagnosed with a rare, and potentially fatal brain infection after taking natalizumab (Tysabri), the hit drug for multiple sclerosis from Biogen Idec and Elan, according to Biogen CEO James Mullen.

There are now 28 confirmed cases of patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) as of the last count in mid-December. 

Biogen Idec says it plans to offer monthly updates to physicians about the latest statistics on PML cases, and infection rates. It will also staff a hotline for physicians who want to gather detailed, updated information and context from the company’s medical staff. The company plans to lay out the numbers in a more detailed fashion, with rates on incidence of infection, numbers showing how long certain groups of patients have been on the drug, combined with data on how many total patients are receiving treatment. “That’s the best way for people to visualize what’s going on,” Mullen says.

“The whole communications strategy around that has been challenging,” Mullen said. “We’ve gotten lots of feedback. Pretty much whatever we’ve done, someone won’t like it.”

Source: XCONOMY Boston © 2007-2009, Xconomy, Inc.(07/01/10)