A new drug developed in New Zealand for the treatment of
secondary progressive multiple sclerosis has been granted a
patent in the United States.
The drug, called MIS416, was developed by biopharmacuetical
company Innate Immunotherapeutics.
During a trial it resulted in 80 per cent of patients tested
having a 30 per cent or greater improvement in at least one
measure of MS-related clinical status.
The company's chief executive, Simon Wilkinson, said the US
patent was a significant milestone because the US represents
about 70 per cent of the worldwide MS market by revenue.
He said there were currently no drugs approved to effectively
treat secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).
Of the 15 patients who received six or more doses of MIS416,
13 reported modest to significant improvement in their
health-related quality of life.
Of the seven patients who were on the treatment for 20 or
more weeks, six reported sustained improvements.
Innate Immunotherapeutics had also filed patent applications
in other major markets including Europe, the United Kingdom
and Australia, Mr Wilkinson said.
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