Long before, Celgene has been considered as one of the leading American biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes medicines for cancer and other inflammatory disorders. In its efforts to eradicate Multiple Sclerosis, Celgene has taken a huge leap forward towards becoming a major player in the multiple sclerosis treatment market. Just recently, the biotechnology company has made the announcement with regards to the positive results the company has obtained from a late-stage clinical trial of ozanimod.
Ozanimod: The Key For Multiple Sclerosis?
According to reports revealed by The Street, two doses of ozanimod has allegedly demonstrated a statistically significant superiority over Biogen's Avonex especially in terms of reducing the annual relapse rate for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Additionally, researchers have revealed that the study has achieved the primary endpoint of the phase III study dubbed as Sunbeam trial. In the trial's course, ozanimod has also turned out to have bested Avonex by reducing the number of new brain lesions seen in multiple sclerosis patients, which has been a key secondary endpoint of the study.
Celgene's Success On Multiple Sclerosis
Meanwhile, as per Business Wire, Celgene's SUNBEAM trial has evaluated two orally administered treatment doses (0.5 mg and 1 mg) of ozanimod, with patients treated for at least one year. Consequently, the overall safety and tolerability profile was reportedly consistent with results from the previously reported phase II RMS (RADIANCE) and phase II ulcerative colitis (TOUCHSTONE) trials. In one of his statements, Bruce Cree, Associate Professor of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco said that these findings add to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of ozanimod as a disease modifying therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
On the other hand, experts said that multiple sclerosis has already become an increasingly crowded and competitive market for drug companies and might be particularly vulnerable to pricing pressures. As of the press time, Celgene was found to be on the move in developing ozanimod in other indications, such as ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Ultimately, it was found that Celgene could also acquire Biogen, however, company executives have highly emphasized that mega-mergers are not a priority at this time.
