Teva tries again with oral MS drug

Posted Nov 7th 2007 2:35PM by Aaron Katsman
Filed under: Teva Pharm Indus ADR (TEVA), Israel

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA), the largest generic drug maker in the world, has begun enrolling patients in the Phase III clinical trial of oral laquinimod for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The plan is to have 1,000 patients in the trial, which will last between 2-3 years.

Teva already produces Copaxone for the treatment of MS, but has twice tried unsuccessfully in the past to produce an oral drug. This time it is teaming up with the Swedish drug company Active Biotech to trial the oral drug.

If successful, along with Copaxone, Teva will be the clear leader in the fight to treat MS. For the sake of all who suffer from MS, let's hope the third time is a charm, and Teva has success with the oral drug.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. Author holds a position in TEVA.

Tags: copaxone, generic drugs, GenericDrugs, inthenews, ms, teva