Head to head Rebif, Avonex Phase II data

Serono (SRA; SWX:SEO) reported complete results of its previously reported single blind EVIDENCE trial comparing its Rebif interferon beta-1a to Avonex interferon beta-1a from Biogen (BGEN) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Patients treated with Rebif showed statistically significant improvements in the primary end point of proportion of relapse free patients at 24 weeks and the secondary end point of combined unique lesion activity compared to Avonex patients (see BioCentury, May 14).

SRA said that 25.1% of Rebif patients experienced a relapse compared with 36.7% of Avonex patients, giving Rebif patients 90% greater odds of remaining relapse free (p=0.0005). Rebif patients had an average of 0.29 relapses compared to 0.4 for Avonex patients (p= 0.022). In addition, Rebif patients had an average of 0.8 lesions per MRI scan compared to 1.2 lesions for Avonex(p<0.0001), and SRA said Avonex patients had 50% more new lesions by MRI scan than Rebif patients over 6 months. Data were presented at the World Congress of Neurology in London. ...