GENEVA, Switzerland, March 30 /PRNewswire/ --
- CLARITY (CLAdRIbine tablets Treating MS OrallY) Study Data to be Presented as Late-Breaking Oral Presentation
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 30 /PRNewswire/ --
Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today that the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has accepted a late-breaking abstract regarding cladribine tablets, its oral investigational treatment of multiple sclerosis, for an oral presentation at the AAN 61st Annual Meeting in Seattle.
The abstract is entitled Results from the CLARITY study: a Phase III, randomized, double-blind study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral cladribine in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The data is currently scheduled to be presented as a late-breaking oral presentation on April 29, 2009 by the study's principal investigator, Dr Gavin Giovannoni, Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, United Kingdom.
The CLARITY data is embargoed until the late-breaking presentation. The late-breaker time is subject to the schedule of the AAN. Information on the timing of the late-breaker can be found on the AAN website at http://www.aan.com/go/am/science/latebreaking.
About Merck Serono and multiple sclerosis
Merck Serono is a leader in multiple sclerosis (MS) with Rebif(R) (interferon beta-1a), a disease-modifying drug used to treat relapsing forms of MS, which is registered in more than 80 countries worldwide. Full prescribing information for this product can be obtained by contacting the Company or visiting its website. Additional therapeutic options are under development at Merck Serono, including cladribine tablets, currently in Phase III and potentially the first oral therapy for MS, as well as several products in early stage development. Merck Serono also is taking a leading role in developing an understanding of the role of genetics in MS.
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 more than 2 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.
About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the division for innovative prescription pharmaceuticals of Merck, a global pharmaceutical and chemical group. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative small molecules and biopharmaceuticals to help patients with unmet medical needs. Its North American business operates in the United States and Canada as EMD Serono.
Merck Serono has leading brands serving patients with cancer (Erbitux(R), cetuximab), multiple sclerosis (Rebif(R), interferon beta-1a), infertility (Gonal-f(R), follitropin alfa), endocrine and cardiometabolic disorders (Glucophage(R), metformin); (Concor(R), bisoprolol); (Euthyrox(R), levothyroxine); (Saizen(R) and Serostim(R), somatropin). Not all products are available in all markets.
With an annual RD expenditure of around EUR 1bn, Merck Serono is committed to growing its business in specialist-focused therapeutic areas including neurodegenerative diseases, oncology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as new areas potentially arising out of research and development in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
About Merck
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of EUR 7.6 billion in 2008, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by 32,800 employees in 59 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.
For more information, please visit http://www.merckserono.com or http://www.merck.de
Merck Serono, 9 Chemin des Mines, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland. Media Relations, Tel.: +41-22-414-36-00.
Comments