Titration Pack Designed to Improve Convenience and Dose Accuracy for People
Starting Therapy with Rebif
ROCKLAND, Mass., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Serono, Inc. (virt-x:
SEO and NYSE: SRA) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) has approved a new Titration Pack for people who take Rebif(R)
(interferon beta-1a) to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).
The new Titration Pack is designed to provide improved convenience, ease
of use and dosing accuracy for people beginning Rebif therapy, as they
increase to the full dose during their first month of therapy. The new pack
includes one month's supply of Rebif therapy, including a two-week supply of
8.8 mcg and a two-week supply of 22 mcg, both in pre-filled syringes. Rebif
is the only therapy currently available in a titration pack.
Rebif is taken by injection to delay the progression of disability
associated with relapsing forms of MS. It is the only approved MS therapy
proven in a four-year clinical study in all three key measures of treatment
effectiveness: reducing MRI lesion area and activity(1), reducing relapses and
delaying the progression of disability. Also, the EVIDENCE trial demonstrated
that Rebif 44 mcg, taken three times weekly, is superior to Avonex, another MS
therapy, in reducing relapses over 48 weeks.
"We are excited about this latest addition to our portfolio of offerings
for people living with MS," said James Pusey, M.D., executive vice president
of Neurology at Serono, Inc. "Our mission is to make it as easy as possible
to start-and stay on-MS therapy for improved outcomes over the long-term. The
Titration Pack further demonstrates our commitment to that mission."
The Titration Pack is the latest offering by Serono in an ongoing
commitment to improving the lives of people with MS. The company recently
launched the MS LifeLines(TM) Nurses Educators program, providing qualified MS
nurses to help educate newly diagnosed MS patients about therapy with Rebif.
They also launched the new Rebiject II injection device and 29-gauge needle-
the thinnest needle available for any MS therapy-designed to provide
improvements in the ease of injections with Rebif. A survey of Rebif patients
found that 83 percent preferred the Rebiject II to the original Rebiject
device, and 96 percent preferred the new 29-gauge needle to the 27-gauge
needle.
The newly approved Titration Pack will be available in the U.S. in early
2005. Patients can learn more about the titration pack and other product
offerings by talking with their physician, calling MS LifeLines toll-free at
1-877-447-3243 or visiting http://www.MSLifeLines.com. More information about
Rebif can be found in the full prescribing information online at
http://www.rebif.com.
About the Rebiject II and 29-Gauge Needle Survey
To identify preferences for Rebiject or Rebiject II, a telephone survey
was conducted among 59 respondents who had experience using both devices. A
similar survey was conducted among 26 patients comparing the 29-gauge and 27-
gauge needles. Patients were unaware of the change in needle gauge. Patient
responses for both surveys were based on self-assessments after two or more
weeks of using the new device and/or needle.
About MS
MS is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the nervous system and is the
most common, non-traumatic, neurological disease in young adults. MS may
affect approximately two million people worldwide. While symptoms can vary,
the most common symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in
the limbs and problems with strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of
MS are the most common.
About MS LifeLines
MS LifeLines is an educational support service for the MS community
provided by Serono and Pfizer. Its mission is to offer support to people with
MS, people on or considering Rebif(R) therapy, and the care partners who
support them.
About Rebif
Rebif (interferon beta-1a) is a disease-modifying drug (DMD) used to treat
relapsing forms of MS to decrease relapses and delay the accumulation of
physical disability, and is similar to the interferon beta protein produced by
the human body. Interferon beta helps modulate the body's immune system, fight
disease and reduce inflammation.
Rebif should be used with caution in patients with a history of
depression, seizures or liver problems. Most commonly reported side effects
are injection site disorders, flu-like symptoms, elevation of liver enzymes
and blood cell abnormalities. Rebif is available in a 22 mcg and 44 mcg
ready-to-use pre-filled syringe and can be stored at room temperature for up
to 30 days if a refrigerator is not available. Patients should be instructed
to read the Medication Guide accompanying the product.
Rebif(R), which was approved in Europe in 1998 and in the US in 2002, is
registered in more than 80 countries worldwide. In the United States, Rebif is
co-marketed by Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Some of the statements in this press release are forward looking. Such
statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements
of Serono S.A. and affiliates to be materially different from those expected
or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
are based on Serono's current expectations and assumptions, which may be
affected by a number of factors, including those discussed in this press
release and more fully described in Serono's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2004. These
factors include any failure or delay in Serono's ability to develop new
products, any failure to receive anticipated regulatory approvals, any
problems in commercializing current products as a result of competition or
other factors, our ability to obtain reimbursement coverage for our products,
and government regulations limiting our ability to sell our products. Serono
has no responsibility to update the forward-looking statements contained in
this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date
of this press release.
About Serono
Serono is a global biotechnology leader. The Company has seven recombinant
products, Rebif(R), Gonal-F(R), Luveris(R), Ovidrel(R)/Ovitrelle(R),
Serostim(R), Saizen(R) and Zorbtive(TM). In addition to being the world leader
in reproductive health, Serono has strong market positions in neurology,
metabolism and growth. The Company's research programs are focused on growing
these businesses and on establishing new therapeutic areas. Currently, there
are approximately 30 ongoing development projects.
In 2003, Serono achieved worldwide revenues of US$2,018.6 million, and a
net income of US$390.0 million, making it the third largest biotech company in
the world. Its products are sold in over 90 countries. Bearer shares of Serono
S.A., the holding company, are traded on the virt-x (SEO) and its American
Depositary Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (SRA).
(1) The exact relationship between MRI findings and the clinical status of
patients is unknown.
For more information, please contact:
Serono, Geneva, Switzerland:
Media Relations: Investor Relations:
Tel: +41-22-739 36 00 Tel: +41-22-739 36 01
Fax: +41-22-739 3085 Fax: +41-22-739 30 22
http://www.serono.com Reuters: SEO.VS/SRA.N
Bloomberg: SEO VX/SRA US
Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA
Media Relations: Investor Relations:
Stacey Minton Tel: +1 781 681 2552
Tel: +1 781 681 2719 Fax: +1 781 681 2912
stacey.minton@serono.com
SOURCE Serono, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.rebif.com
http://www.MSLifeLines.com
CONTACT:
Media Relations, +41-22-739 36 00, or
Investor Relations: +41- 22-739 36 01, both of Serono, Geneva,
Switzerland; or Stacey Minton, Media Relations, +1-781-681-2719,
stacey.minton@serono.com, or Investor Relations, +1-781-681-2552,
both of Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA
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