Biogen Idec and Abbott announced enrolment of the first patient in a global phase-III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of daclizumab compared to interferon beta-1a (Avonex) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the most common form of multiple sclerosis (MS). The trial, called Decide, will investigate a subcutaneous formulation of daclizumab intended for monthly administration, which has the potential to provide a new immunomodulatory approach for treating MS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Biogen Idec will make a US$ 30 million milestone payment to Abbott. This payment is due upon enrolment of the first patient in the Decide trial.

"Despite significant advances in MS therapy, many patients continue to experience disease activity. The MS community is eager for new treatment approaches," said Ludwig Kappos, head, MS-Research Group, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland, and lead investigator for the study. "As shown in previous studies, daclizumab appears to selectively target immune cells that are thought to become activated in MS and cause damage to the central nervous system."

Decide is a global phase-III, randomized, double-blind, active-comparator study expected to enrol approximately 1,500 RRMS patients in 28 countries. The trial will investigate a subcutaneous formulation of daclizumab intended for once-monthly administration as a monotherapy compared to treatment with interferon beta 1-a, one of the most common treatments for MS. Daclizumab is also being investigated in the ongoing phase-IIb registration-enabling Select trial, which is evaluating the efficacy and safety of monthly subcutaneous doses of either 150 mg or 300 mg of daclizumab monotherapy.

"The Decide study builds on the positive results we saw in the Choice trial, which showed that daclizumab, when added to interferon beta, significantly reduced MS lesions compared to interferon beta therapy alone," said Alfred Sandrock, senior vice president of Neurology Research and Development at Biogen Idec. "Initiating this trial demonstrates our commitment to developing new treatment options for patients who suffer from this terrible disease."

"Initiating the phase-III Decide trial is a tremendous milestone for the collaboration as it brings daclizumab one step closer to becoming a potential new treatment option for patients with MS," said Eugene Sun, vice president, Global Pharmaceutical Clinical Development, Abbott. "Extensive preclinical and clinical experience with daclizumab suggest this drug holds promise as a new approach for the treatment of MS, and we look forward to expanding our knowledge further with the Decide trial."

Daclizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to CD25, a receptor subunit that is expressed at low levels on resting T-cells and at high levels on T-cells that are thought to become activated in response to MS.

Daclizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the CD25 alpha subunit of the high affinity IL-2 receptor. CD25 is expressed at low levels on resting T-cells (immune cells) and at high levels on T-cells that can become activated in response to autoimmune conditions such as MS.

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