Multiple MS dosing opinions

With new data showing the equivalence of 30 mg and 60 mg once weekly injections of its Avonex interferon beta-1a to treat multiple sclerosis, Biogen Inc. argues that it has demonstrated that higher doses of interferon do not confer additional clinical benefit. But competitor Serono S.A. maintains that more drug, more often, is still the way to go.

BGEN (Cambridge, Mass.) last week reported on a European study of 802 relapsing MS patients receiving weekly intramuscular injections of either 30 or 60 mg Avonex. According to the company, both doses showed similar efficacy in reducing disability progression, the study's primary end point. BGEN suggested that higher doses of interferon beta-1a do not provide additional benefit...