Biogen Idec doing well, and maybe a new MS drug in the near future?

[agate]

In another thread I believe Sally and others were saying how well Biogen seems to be doing in spite of the PML concerns about Tysabri. Here's some more on that.

According to an article in the Boston Globe business section (January 15), Biogen Idec is doing very well, what with Tecfidera. In fact, Biogen has enjoyed "torrid revenue growth," and they've had "'one heck of a year.'"

Farther down in the article, it is stated that "yet another Biogen Idec MS drug could come to the market this year."

The article is available Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register....

[renee]

Torrid. That is excellent romance novel talk.
What about Lurid?
8>)

Thanks, Agate.
-r

[agate]

The whole article almost glows. Maybe we should be happy for Biogen Idec as they pop their champagne bottle corks and let the good times roll.

I have this nagging feeling that the markup on these drugs is huge and that immense profits are being made, and meanwhile lots of people put up with MS year after year while being asked to be glad when they hear, "Hey! Your MRI shows no new enhancing lesions! That's great!"

But I'm just being ungrateful.

[SalpalSally]

Lurid and Ungrateful, both excellent words describing Biogen Idec's glee!!

[Frog42]

I am not exactly enamored of Biogen. What, exactly, are you thinking you need to feel grateful about?

[Virginia]

What is it about this article that makes me feel a little sick and a little depressed? Could it be the concentration on the overwhelming amounts of money they are making? Where is the drug that is going to at least stop the progression? In reading that I saw nothing but greed.

Thanks Agate!

[Cherie]

The drug now known as Plegridy (peglated interferon) is the "new MS drug" to which the article refers. It is essentially Interferon beta 1a (Avonex) that is treated in a way that it stays in the system longer so will be a twice a month injection instead of weekly one. Side effects in the clinical trials are similar to those of the other interferons but perhaps more intense than those currently in use because of the infrequency of dosing. There are at least a couple of emails coming into my other email box that I use for the MS Nursing and Advocacy that tout the effectiveness of a new and improved interferon which should be introduced in 2014. Frankly, I have not been overly impressed by the hype that seems to be surrounding it.

[Lazarus]

I read the article and forgot to come back and thank you for posting it.

So, thanks!

I am glad the drug companies make money from the ms meds they produce. At least they keep researching us.

Feel for the people who have an illness that so few people have that no one researches it. Private companies in our system have the goal to make money. I think research should be done by the government. I have demonstrated for that and petitioned for that for the last twenty years. I think we need to be aware of how this system came to be and who voted for what/when/why.

[agate]

Feel for the people who have an illness that so few people have that no one researches it.

How true, Linda. I have a neighbor with stiff-man syndrome who has been going downhill during the 4 years I've known her. Most people don't have a clue what her life is like.

Another neighbor had Norrie's disease, which had left her quite disabled though she was only in her 30s.

Both of these are disorders you don't hear much about but they're definitely devastating.