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Merck KGaA announced yesterday that it has submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to extend the indication of Rebif, its leading treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The requested label extension is for the use of Rebif in patients who have experienced a single demyelinating event, an early sign of the disease, and who are at high risk of converting to MS.
“Our application to extend the indication of Rebif is based on the REFLEX1 study, which focused on patients with early signs of multiple sclerosis,” said Dr. Bernhard Kirschbaum, Head of Global Research and Development of the Merck Serono division.
“We remain strongly committed to addressing the medical needs of patients with multiple sclerosis at the various stages of this devastating disease.”
Merck Serono’s submission of a type II variation to extend the indication of Rebif is supported by results of the REFLEX study, which were presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in April 2011. The REFLEX study was designed to evaluate the effect of two different doses of Rebif the currently approved 44 mcg three times a week and 44 mcg once a week – versus placebo, on the “Time to conversion to McDonald MS (2005)” in patients with a first clinical demyelinating event and having magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans consistent with early signs of MS. The study met its primary endpoint for both doses by demonstrating that Rebif significantly delayed conversion to McDonald MS (2005) in those patients.
The REFLEX study was conducted with the HSA-free3 formulation of Rebif, which is now available in all European Union countries, Australia, Canada and Switzerland, as well as a number of countries in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. The HSA-free formulation of Rebif is currently not available in the United States.
The REFLEX study was a two-year (24-month), randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international Phase III trial. It randomised 517 patients considered at risk of developing MS due to a recently experienced isolated demyelinating event (e.g. optic neuritis, myelopathy or brainstem syndrome) and having magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans consistent with early signs of MS.
Study participants were randomised in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive either Rebif 44 mcg three times a week, Rebif 44 mcg once a week, or placebo as a subcutaneous injection. Patients were treated for a period of two years, or up to the time when they experienced a second attack leading to a diagnosis of clinically definite MS. At this point, patients were offered open-label treatment with Rebif 44 micrograms three times a week. The primary endpoint of the study was “time to conversion to McDonald MS (2005)”. Further endpoints include “time to conversion to clinically definite MS” (the main secondary endpoint), assessments of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans and clinical relapses.
About Rebif
Rebif (interferon beta-1a) is a disease-modifying drug used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and is similar to the interferon beta protein produced by the human body. The efficacy of Rebif in chronic progressive MS has not been established. Interferons are thought to help reduce inflammation. The exact mechanism is unknown.
Rebif, which was approved in Europe in 1998 and in the US in 2002, is registered in more than 90 countries worldwide. Rebif has been proven to delay the progression of disability, reduce the frequency of relapses and reduce MRI lesion activity and area*. Rebif is available in a 22 micrograms and 44 micrograms ready-to-use pre-filled syringe and a titration pack (8.8 micrograms). Rebif is also now available in two multidose cartridges [132 micrograms (three doses of 44 micrograms) and 66 micrograms (three doses of 22 micrograms)] for the use with the RebiSmart device, in several EU member countries, Switzerland and Canada, as well as in Australia.
Rebif should be used with caution in patients with a history of depression, liver disease and seizures. Most commonly reported side effects are flu-like symptoms, injection site disorders, elevation of liver enzymes and blood cell abnormalities. Patients, especially those with depression, seizure disorders, or liver problems, should discuss treatment with Rebif with their doctors.
* The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.
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 approximately two 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.
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of € 9.3 billion in 2010, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by more than 40,000 employees in 67 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.
