MediciNova reports Phase IIb data for ibudilast in MS

MediciNova Inc. (NASDAQ:MNOV; JASDAQ:4875) reported top-line data from the Phase IIb SPRINT-MS trial in 255 patients with primary or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis showing that up to twice-daily 50 mg oral ibudilast (Ketas, AV411, MN-166) met the co-primary endpoint of reducing whole brain atrophy progression rate at 96 weeks as measured by brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) vs. placebo (p=0.04). Specifically, ibudilast led to a 48% reduction vs. placebo. Data were presented at the Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting in Paris.

The double-blind, U.S. trial enrolled MS patients untreated with long-term disease modifying therapies or on either glatiramer acetate or interferon beta treatment. The co-primary endpoint is safety. Secondary endpoints include disability, imaging analyses of brain and retinal tissue integrity, cortical atrophy, cognitive impairment, quality of life (QOL) and neuropathic pain...