News for the Multiple Sclerosis Community

Bummer: Rituximab Fails For PPMS

Genentech, Inc. and Biogen Idec, Inc. announced that a Phase II/III study of Rituxan® (rituximab) for primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) did not meet its primary endpoint as measured by the time to confirmed disease progression during the 96-week treatment period. Genentech and Biogen Idec will continue to analyze the study results and will submit the data for presentation at an upcoming medical meeting.

While this is very disappointing news, I'd like to point out that both companies deserve credit for taking on a study for PPMS.

Very disappointing. You are right about giving them credit. I am hopeful their results give at least some hint as to the ppms disease process.

Apparently PPMS has less to do with inflammation, which all of the drugs we currently have are designed for (including Rituximab), than some other underlying, degenerative disease process which we have yet to understand. However, it is good that they tried though.

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