DARMSTADT, Germany, April 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Merck, a leading science and technology company, will present data at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 69th Annual Meeting, taking place from April 22-28, 2017, in Boston, Mass. Merck will present 15 abstracts on multiple sclerosis (MS), including studies evaluating Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) and investigational Cladribine Tablets, as well as analyses of complications and MS relapse rates during pregnancy and real-world data related to the impact of treatment adherence and patient costs.
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"Rebif has a well-established safety profile supported by more than 20 years of accrued clinical trial and patient experience, and the information from the studies and analyses we are presenting at AAN deepens our understanding of this important RRMS therapy," said Dr. Kathleen Hawker, Vice President, Neurology and Immunology US, EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
The company will also present efficacy and safety data for Cladribine Tablets, an investigational short-course oral therapy that is thought to selectively and periodically target lymphocytes which may be integral to the pathological process of MS. Cladribine Tablets is currently under clinical investigation and not yet approved for the treatment for any use in the United States, Canada or elsewhere. In July 2016, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) accepted for review the Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) of Cladribine Tablets for the treatment of adult patients with RRMS.
"We have an unwavering focus on delivering innovation to patients in need, and our presentations this week at AAN, a leading neurology conference, further validate the promise of Cladribine Tablets as a potential RRMS treatment option," said Luciano Rossetti, Head of Global R&D for the biopharma business of Merck.
Attendees can learn more about our programs, pipeline and activities in neurology by visiting our medical booth #473. Booth activities include a $25,000 charitable donation presentation to Can DO MS on April 25 at 3 p.m., as well as "I'm Facing MS" simulation stations that will translate users' experiences with different MS impairments into artwork.
AAN Brain Health Fair
EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the US and Canada will have an exhibition at the AAN Brain Health Fair on April 21 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET, where attendees can gain first-hand experience about what it's like to have MS through virtual reality and other activities.
The following abstracts were accepted for presentation at the AAN 2017 Annual Meeting:
Rebif (interferon beta-1a) Presentations Abstract/ Presentation Title Lead Author Poster # Date/Time/Session Cholecalciferol W. Camu 004 April 27, 2017, 4:06 p.m. Supplementation in Oral Presentation Relapsing Multiple Session S44: MS Risk Sclerosis Patients Treated Factors and Modifications with Subcutaneous Interferon Beta-1a: A Randomized Controlled Trial High Dose Cholecalciferol R. Hupperts 005 April 27, 2017, 4:18 p.m. (Vitamin D3) Oil as Add-on Oral Presentation Therapy in Subjects with Session S44: MS Risk Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Receiving Subcutaneous Interferon ss-1a (scIFNbeta-1a) Treatment with Interferon M. Battaglini 340 April 28, 2017, 4:00 - Reduces the Appearance of 5:30 p.m. Lesions in Clinically Poster Session P6 Relevant White Matter (WM) Tracts in Patients with Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) Effect of Early Versus M. Freedman 358 April 28, 2017, 4:00 - Delayed Treatment (DT) 5:30 p.m. with Subcutaneous IFN Poster Session P6 ss-1a (scIFNss-1a) on Radiological Activity Free (RAF) or Clinical Activity Free (CAF) Status in Patients with Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS): A Post-hoc Analysis of REFLEXION Clinical Efficacy of F. Nelson 343 April 28, 2017, 4:00 - Interferon ss-1a 5:30 p.m. Subcutaneously Three Times Poster Session P6 Weekly According to Baseline Radiological Characteristics: Post Hoc Analyses of PRISMS Data Efficacy of Interferon E. Williamson 329 April 28, 2017, 4:00 - ss-1a Subcutaneously Three 5:30 p.m. Times Weekly According to Poster Session P6 Baseline EDSS/Duration, EDSS, and MSSS Sub-groups: Post Hoc Analysis of PRISMS Data
Cladribine Tablets Presentations Abstract/ Presentation Title Lead Author Poster # Date/Time/Session Cladribine Tablets in the S. Cook 394 April 27, 2017, 5:30 - Treatment of Patients with 7:00 p.m. Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Poster Session P5 An Integrated Analysis of Safety from the MS Clinical Development Program Absolute Lymphocyte Count P. 379 April 27, 2017, 5:30 - Recovery in Patients with Soelberg- 7:00 p.m. Relapsing-Remitting Sorensen Poster Session P5 Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) Treated with Cladribine Tablets 3.5 mg/kg in CLARITY and CLARITY Extension Cladribine Tablets in the G. Comi 349 April 28, 2017, 4:00 - ORACLE-MS Study Open-label 5:30 p.m. Maintenance Period: Poster Session P6 Analysis of Efficacy in Patients after Conversion to Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis (CDMS) Defining High Disease G. Giovannoni 351 April 28, 2017, 4:00 - Activity (HDA) in Patients 5:30 p.m. with Relapsing Multiple Poster Session P6 Sclerosis (RMS) Receiving Placebo in the CLARITY Study Durable Efficacy of G. Giovannoni 353 April 28, 2017, 4:00 - Cladribine Tablets in 5:30 p.m. Patients with Multiple Poster Session P6 Sclerosis: Analysis of Relapse Rates and Relapse-free Patients in the CLARITY and CLARITY Extension Studies Efficacy of Cladribine G. Giovannoni 360 April 28, 2017, 4:00 - Tablets 3.5 mg/kg in High 5:30 p.m. Disease Activity (HDA) Poster Session P6 Subgroups of Patients with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS) in the CLARITY Study
Additional Company-Sponsored Presentations Abstract/ Presentation Title Lead Author Poster # Date/Time/Session Multiple Sclerosis Relapse A. Phillips 361 April 23, 2017, 4:00 - Rates, Before, During, and 5:30 p.m. After Pregnancy: A US Poster Session P1 Retrospective Claims Database Analysis Pregnancy Complications of MK. Houtchens 110 April 24, 2017, 8:30 Women With and Without a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Multiple Sclerosis in a Poster Session P2 Large US Claims Database Does Patients' Experience J. Smrtka 337 April 25, 2017, 5:30 - of Care Differ by Level of 7:00 p.m. Adherence in Multiple Poster Session P3 Sclerosis?
About Cladribine Tablets
Cladribine Tablets is an investigational short-course oral therapy that is thought to selectively and periodically target lymphocytes thought to be integral to the pathological process of MS. Cladribine Tablets is currently under clinical investigation and not yet approved for the treatment for any use in the United States, Canada and Europe. In July 2016, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) accepted for review the Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) of Cladribine Tablets for the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
The clinical development program for Cladribine Tablets includes:
About Rebif®
Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) is a disease-modifying drug used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and is similar to the interferon beta protein produced by the human body. The efficacy of Rebif® in chronic progressive MS has not been established. Interferon ß is thought to help reduce inflammation. The exact mechanism is unknown.
Rebif®, which was approved in Europe in 1998 and in the US in 2002, is registered in more than 90 countries worldwide. Rebif® has been proven to delay the progression of disability, reduce the frequency of relapses and reduce MRI lesion activity and area*.
Rebif® can be administrated with the RebiSmart® electronic auto-injection device (not approved in the US), or with the RebiDose® single-use disposable pen, or the manual multidose injection pen RebiSlide™. Rebif® can also be administered with the autoinjector Rebiject II® or by manual injection using ready-to-use pre-filled syringes. These injection devices are not approved in all countries.
In January 2012, the European commission approved the extension of the indication of Rebif® in early multiple sclerosis. The extension of the indication of Rebif® has not been submitted in the United States.
Rebif® should be used with caution in patients with a history of depression, liver disease, thyroid abnormalities and seizures. Most commonly reported side effects are flu-like symptoms, injection site disorders, elevation of liver enzymes and blood cell abnormalities. Patients, especially those with depression, seizure disorders, or liver problems, should discuss treatment with Rebif® with their doctors.
*The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.
Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) is approved in the United States for relapsing forms of MS. RebiSmart®, an electronic device for self-injection of Rebif®, is also not approved in the United States. Cladribine Tablets is an investigational product and not approved for use in any indication in the United States.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the central nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, disabling neurological disease in young adults. It is estimated that approximately 2.3 million people have MS 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.
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About Merck
Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life - from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2016, Merck generated sales of € 15.0 billion in 66 countries.
Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.
