The European Commission has granted marketing authorization approval for Genzyme's Aubagio (teriflunomide) 14 mg, a once-daily, oral therapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

“The fact that Aubagio 14 mg has demonstrated a positive effect on disability progression in two phase III clinical studies underscores its importance as a new treatment option for relapsing remitting MS patients," said Professor Ludwig Kappos, MD, chair of Neurology, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. "As a new once-daily, oral treatment option with well-characterized safety and tolerability, Aubagio could be an attractive option for patients dissatisfied with traditional injectable therapies."

The EU approval of Aubagio was based on data from the phase III TEMSO (TEriflunomide Multiple Sclerosis Oral) and TOWER (Teriflunomide Oral in  people With relapsing remitting multiplE scleRosis) trials. In these trials, Aubagio significantly reduced the annualized relapse rate and the time to disability progression at two years versus placebo.

“Aubagio’s efficacy, safety and convenient dosing may provide an attractive treatment option for patients,” said Genzyme CEO and president, David Meeker, MD. “Today’s approval of Aubagio is another step forward for Genzyme as we work to develop important new treatments that can address the diverse needs of the MS community.”

The development of Aubagio reflects more than a decade of work by the Sanofi R&D organization. Aubagio is approved to treat relapsing MS in the United States, Australia, Argentina, Chile and South Korea, and is under review by additional regulatory agencies.

Aubagio is an immunomodulator with anti-inflammatory properties. Although the exact mechanism of action for Aubagio is not fully understood, it may involve a reduction in the number of activated lymphocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). Aubagio is supported by one of the largest clinical programmes of any MS therapy, with more than 5,000 trial participants in 36 countries. Some patients in extension trials have been treated for up to 10 years.

Genzyme, a Sanofi company has pioneered the development and delivery of transformative therapies for patients affected by rare and debilitating diseases and accomplishes goals through world-class research and with the compassion and commitment of our employees.

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