Singled out: Six60′s ForeverNew Zealand’s Six60 are getting ready to bring their mix of rock, soul and dub step to North America for a spring tour and to celebrate we asked frontman Matiu to tell us about their latest single “Forever” from their self-titled debut.

Road Trip: Jefferson City, Missouri – It’s a Gas!You’re going to prison! no, this has nothing to do with those unpaid parking tickets or that jaywalking incident. You’ll likely enjoy your trip to the historic Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City and, while you’ll want to spend some time, you don’t have to stay.

Singled out: mbilly’s malheurToday mbilly tells us about the title track to his new album “malheur,” which is set to hit stores on June 5th.

Singled out: Freak Kitchen’s Teargas JazzToday Mattias IA Eklundh from Freak Kitchen tells us about the song “Teargas Jazz” from their latest album “Land of the Freaks”.

Kasabian – Velociraptor!Kasabian is one of those bands that may get lumped in with many other hyped British acts. The group can’t help that. even so, don’t let all the hype keep you away from Velociraptor! this is the sort of album that ought to put Kasabian up into the rarified air of the very best British bands.

Singled out: Leigh Marble’s JackrabbitToday Leigh Marble tells us about the song “Jackrabbit” from his brand new album “Where The Knives Meet between The Rows”.

Kaiser Chiefs LiveWe all dream about seeing a band with a mammoth stage presence inside the intimacy of a club. Chicago’s wish was granted when the English band the Kaiser Chiefs took to the House of Blues stage on a stop in between their two performances at Coachella

Singled out: Jon AndersonToday legendary yes frontman Jon Anderson tells us a little bit about his new 21-minute single which is called “Open.”

Passport: Drunk Souls- Slim Loris- Rooftop Runners- Monks of MellonwahKevin Wierzbicki takes a musical trip around the world to listen to new releases from France, Sweden, Canada, Germany and Australia.

Singled out: Unleashed’s OdalheimToday Unleashed vocalist and bassist Johnny Hedlund tells us about the title track to their new concept album, Odalheim.

Wilson Phillips – DedicatedWilson Phillips aren’t trying to build a better mouse trap here- their parents created the quintessential California sound with this music but the girls don’t have any such burden of genius upon them. They’re just having fun interpreting some of the most enduring pop songs ever written.

Singled out: Justin Jude’s BleedToday award winning singer-songwriter Justin Jude tells us about the song “Bleed” from his brand new EP “5 Kinds of Rain”.

Singled out: Prozak (Feat Sid Wilson from Slipknot)Today Prozak tells us about “End Of Us” and “Million Miles Away” from his brand new album “Paranormal”.

The Who – Quadrophenia: The Director’s CutQuadrophenia has never sounded more pristine and the extras included within the box set place the album in a wholly new light. if anything, it further demonstrates the brilliance of Pete Townshend and his manic mastery of the studio.

Singled out: CrashSceneToday Jacen Ekstroms and Troy Healy from CrashScene tell us about “I Fall Apart” and “Don’t Tell Me what To Do” from their new self-titled album.

MorleyView Darin Bennett & The RequiemIn this age of American Idol, The Voice, et al, it’s harder and harder to find a musician with their own voice — a true original. well look no further cuz one of the most original and fiercely independent artists out there has just released a new record. Morley spoke with Darin to learn all about it!

Singled out: Barren Earth’s as It Is WrittenKasper Martenson from Barren Earth tells us about the song “As It Is Written” from their sophomore album “The Devil’s Resolve”.

Sites and Sounds: Blackout Festival- Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival and MoreantiMusic’s travel editor Kevin Wierzbicki once again tells us about rockin’ places to visit this month including The Blackout Festival, the Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival, Soul Beach in Aruba and the Revival Festival.

Efforts at making a medication derived from cannabis available for persons with Multiple Sclerosis have moved a step closer, with the completion of the European Mutual Recognition Procedure.

Galway West Deputy Seán Kyne confirmed the news this week, saying that he had a number of representations made to him by constituents concerned at the lack of availability in Ireland of Sativex, a cannabis-derived medication which has been shown to successfully alleviate some of the debilitating symptoms of MS.

“Sativex is available in Britain and the US and has been very successful in assisting people with MS. I first raised the issue of its availability here with the Minister when several constituents contacted me who either have MS or have relatives or friends with the condition.

“Since last September, Minister Reilly and his Department have been examining how to proceed with introducing such a medication that requires the amendment of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 which rightly prohibits the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis but unfortunately also prohibits cannabis-based medicinal products.”

Deputy Kyne continued to add that the European Commission had been running a European Mutual Recognition Procedure for the drug, alongside the the Department of Health review.

The The European Mutual Recognition Procedure was introduced with the 2001 Directive on the Community Code Relating to Medicinal Products for Human Use and aims to ensure agreement on the use of a medicinal product that has been introduced in at least one member state of the EU.

“With the successful conclusion of the procedure, the manufacturer of Sativex, GW Pharma, has committed to working on the wording, packaging and pricing of the medication for introduction in other member states,” explained Deputy Kyne.

“I’m confident that the European efforts, alongside the review underway at the Irish Department of Health, will soon see the introduction of Sativex on the Irish market to the benefit of people in Ireland with MS.”

WESTON, Mass. & DUBLIN–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) today announced findings from several studies of TYSABRI® (natalizumab) evaluating its long-term safety and efficacy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) across the course of disease and impact on MS-related symptoms such as fatigue. These data, as well as data relating to the companies’ risk stratification algorithm as a way to help enable individual benefit risk assessment for patients with MS, were accepted for presentation at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).

“TOP may help provide insight into the potential impact current treatment may have on long term efficacy and safety outcomes with TYSABRI”

“We continue to build on the extensive data we have for TYSABRI and are committed to studying its long-term use and potential effect on symptoms like fatigue, which MS patients struggle with every day,” said Douglas E. Williams, Ph.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Biogen Idec. “Our research is aimed at discovering additional ways TYSABRI can help physicians and patients best manage the symptoms of MS and make informed and personalized treatment choices.”

Long-Term Observational Study of TYSABRI

Initial results from the TYSABRI Observational Program (TOP) indicate that post-baseline annualized relapse rates (ARR) after four years for patients receiving TYSABRI therapy decreased from 1.99 at baseline to 0.28 (p<0.0001); disability, as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), remained stable over time. TOP is an ongoing open-label, multicenter, observational study designed to assess long-term outcomes in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) in Europe, Australia, and Canada. TOP is expected to enroll more than 4,500 patients who will be followed for 10 years.

neither reduction in ARR nor stabilization of a patient’s EDSS was affected by the type of treatment they were using before initiating TYSABRI therapy. however, ARR were lowest in immunosuppressant (IS) therapy-naïve patients and highest in patients who had used IS therapy (p<0.0001).

The incidence and type of serious adverse events (SAEs) seen in these patients after long-term use was consistent with TYSABRI’s known safety profile. There were no significant differences by baseline treatment history in the incidence of SAEs, infection-related SAEs, or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) during TYSABRI therapy, although there was a trend of higher incidence of PML in patients with prior IS use.

“TOP may help provide insight into the potential impact current treatment may have on long term efficacy and safety outcomes with TYSABRI,” said Professor Ludwig Kappos, MD, chair of Neurology, Research Group Leader Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neurobiology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. “The reduction of MS relapse and stable disability progression that we observed with TYSABRI in the TOP study across naive and previously treated patients was sustained after four years of treatment.”

Risk-Stratification Initiatives

Biogen Idec and Elan developed a quantitative risk stratification algorithm to help physicians and people with MS have more confidence in their treatment decisions when considering TYSABRI. The algorithm provides guidance for physicians and patients about the varying degrees of PML risk associated with TYSABRI treatment. The variables impacting PML risk are: anti-JCV antibody status, prior IS use, and TYSABRI treatment duration.

“We are pleased to be able to offer MS patients and their physicians an approach for assessing the potential benefit-risk with TYSABRI,” said Ted Yednock, executive vice president and head of Global Research, Elan. “A significant advancement in this area is the inclusion of anti-JCV antibody status in the TYSABRI label as a risk factor for developing PML, as well as the commercial availability of the STRATIFY JCV™ blood test. use of this approach for risk stratification is supported by data presented at AAN.”

PML risk was quantified by assessing more than 92,000 MS patients from TYSABRI post-marketing sources and clinical studies; through September 2011 there were 159 cases of PML among this patient population and data show PML risk was lowest in anti-JCV antibody negative patients (no PML cases occurred in anti-JCV antibody negative patients; with the inclusion of one hypothetical anti-JCV antibody negative case, the risk is ?0.10 cases per 1,000 patients treated). PML risk was highest in patients with all three risk factors: anti-JCV antibody positive status; prior immunosuppressant use; and 25-48 months of TYSABRI treatment (10.6 cases per 1,000 patients treated). The use of anti-JCV antibody status in this algorithm marks the first time a safety biomarker for risk stratification has been used to inform treatment decisions in MS and these data will be updated during the AAN presentation.

a separate study, STRATIFY-2, an ongoing, longitudinal, observational U.S. study, is the largest data set to date to analyze anti-JCV antibody seroprevalence among MS patients. Baseline anti-JCV antibody testing results from more than 35,000 MS patients who were either receiving or considering treatment with TYSABRI showed that the overall prevalence of anti-JCV antibodies was 53.5 percent (95% confidence interval [CI]: 53.0%–54.0%), which is consistent with the prevalence of anti-JCV antibodies observed in MS patients in other clinical research. Interim results from STRATIFY-2 demonstrated prospectively that the PML incidence in TYSABRI-treated anti-JCV antibody negative patients was significantly lower than that in anti-JCV antibody positive patients (anti-JCV negative = 0, CI: 0–0.34; anti-JCV positive=1.02, CI: 0.53–1.78 [p=0.0004]). Final data from STRATIFY-2 will further characterize PML risk in anti-JCV antibody negative and positive patients.

TYSABRI Impact on MS-related Fatigue

Initial findings from the TYNERGY study (Effects of TYSABRI Over 12 Months on MS Related Fatigue in Patients with RRMS) show that TYSABRI treatment was associated with improved MS-related fatigue. TYNERGY was a multicenter, 12-month clinical follow-up study conducted to evaluate the effect of TYSABRI on MS-related fatigue in patients with RRMS. Fatigue is considered the most common symptom of MS, impacting 75-95 percent of patients. Further, 50-60 percent of MS patients report fatigue as one of their most disabling symptoms, which can contribute to cognitive and physical difficulties.

in the study, researchers measured MS-related fatigue at 0 and 12 months via the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC). Results indicate that treatment with TYSABRI impacted fatigue in patients with RRMS as evidenced by a median reduction of the FSMC score by 9.0 points (p<0.0001), which corresponds to an improvement from severe to moderate fatigue. Both the motor and the cognitive components of the FSMC showed similar improvement (p<0.0001). Researchers noted that these first results are promising but need further validation.

Data highlighted in this press release is featured in the following poster and platform presentations at the AAN annual meeting:

• Long-Term Safety and Efficacy and Association between Baseline Treatment History and Postbaseline Relapses in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Natalizumab in the TYSABRI Observational Program (TOP) (P04.134) was presented on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
• Updated Incidence of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in Natalizumab-Treated Multiple Sclerosis Patients Stratified by Established Risk Factors (S41.001) –presented by Dr. Gary Bloomgren on Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 1:00 to 1:15 p.m. CDT
• Anti-JCV Antibody Prevalence in Patients with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Receiving or considering Treatment with Natalizumab: Baseline Results of STRATIFY-2 (S41.002) – presented by Dr. Sandra Richman on Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 1:15 to 1:30 p.m. CDT
• Natalizumab Reduces Fatigue as Measured by the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC)—First Results from the TYNERGY trial (P07.081) – available for viewing on Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 2:00 to 6:30 p.m. CDT

Full session details and additional TYSABRI data presentation listings for the 2012 AAN Annual Meeting can be found through the AAN website (aan.com/go/am12).

About TYSABRI

TYSABRI is approved in more than 65 countries. TYSABRI is approved in the United States as a monotherapy for relapsing forms of MS, generally for patients who have had an inadequate response to, or are unable to tolerate, an alternative MS therapy. in the European Union, it is approved for highly active relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) in adult patients who have failed to respond to beta interferon or have rapidly evolving, severe RRMS.

TYSABRI has advanced the treatment of MS patients with its established efficacy. Data from the Phase 3 AFFIRM trial, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that after two years, TYSABRI treatment led to a 68 percent relative reduction (p<0.001) in the annualized relapse rate when compared with placebo and reduced the relative risk of disability progression by 42-54 percent (p<0.001).

TYSABRI increases the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), an opportunistic viral infection of the brain, which usually leads to death or severe disability. Infection by the JC virus (JCV) is required for the development of PML and patients who are anti-JCV antibody positive have a higher risk of developing PML. Factors that increase the risk of PML are presence of anti-JCV antibodies, prior immunosuppressant use, and longer TYSABRI treatment duration. Patients who have all three risk factors have the highest risk of developing PML. other serious adverse events that have occurred in TYSABRI-treated patients include hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) and infections, including opportunistic and other atypical infections. Clinically significant liver injury has also been reported in the post-marketing setting. a list of adverse events can be found in the full TYSABRI product labeling for each country where it is approved.

TYSABRI is marketed and distributed by Biogen Idec Inc. and Elan Corporation, plc. for full prescribing information, including boxed warning and important safety information, and more information about TYSABRI, please visit biogenidec.com or elan.com.

About Biogen Idec

Biogen Idec uses cutting-edge science to discover, develop, manufacture and market therapies for serious diseases with a focus on neurology, immunology and hemophilia. Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is the world’s oldest independent biotechnology company. Patients worldwide benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis therapies and the company generates more than $4 billion in annual revenues. for product labeling, press releases and additional information about the company, please visit biogenidec.com.

About Elan

Elan Corporation, plc is a neuroscience-focused biotechnology company committed to making a difference in the lives of patients and their families by dedicating itself to bringing innovations in science to fill significant unmet medical needs that continue to exist around the world. Elan shares trade on the New York and Irish Stock Exchanges. for additional information about Elan, please visit elan.com.

# # #

Tutor donates fees to MS Society

2:10pm Thursday 5th April 2012 in News by Amanda Williams

Chris Sivewright is on a mission

a tutor whose brother and sister have multiple sclerosis is making an Easter gift to support sufferers.

Chris Sivewright will donate fees he makes from tutoring in business and economics this Easter to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

MS is a neurological disease and symptoms include fatigue, vision problems and difficulties with walking.

the 55-year-old, who is a freelance tutor, vowed to help after his mother Joyce, who died in 1989, was rendered unable to walk without sticks after being struck by the disease.

his sister Anne, who lives in Canada, and brother Robert, a former soldier of Sidcup, Kent, were also diagnosed with MS.

Mr Sivewright, of Sunderland Avenue, said: “For the past year I have been giving a lot of my tutoring income to the MS Society, and this year I am taking it a stage further.

“I am teaching an Easter course in economics and the entire fee goes direct to the MS Society “Plus I have set up a site where all the proceeds from the selling of textbooks goes direct to the MS Society.”

the course at Oxford Tutorial College started on Sunday and was due to finish today.

Mr Sivewright charges between £25 and £30 for an hour of coaching in business and economics from GCSE to A-Level.

£22 funds 100 copies of the society’s What is MS? booklet £113 funds an MS Specialist Nurse for one day £500 provides a local information event £1,500 buys a mobility scooter £5,000 buys a level-access shower and wetroom to help someone bathe independently and reduce the need for carers to assist them in the bathroom. To support Mr Sivewright’s fundraising, contact him on 01865 556 361, email chris.oslmarketing@ gmail.com or go online to justgiving.com/chris-sivewright

More News stories

The following is a partial listing. be sure to check with your favorite charity to see what functions they’re sponsoring — or branch out and support one of these.

CANCER

April 13: Relay for Life, Armstrong Stadium, Hampton University;

May 18: Darling Stadium, Hampton.

Relay for Life is a national fundraiser that benefits the American Cancer Society. to date, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities have participated. It’s billed as: “A chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.” the American Cancer Society works to help people get well, stay well, and find cures.

The format involves teams of people who camp out and take turns walking or running around a track/path. Overnight events occur over a 24-hour period. each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times. It starts with an opening ceremony, followed by a survivor lap, a caregiver lap, then an opening lap for all, followed by the lighting of luminaria bags to honor loved ones.

To participate, or to find a Relay near you, go to relayforlife.org.

April 21: Bon Secours is sponsoring a 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk for Colon Cancer.

On-site registration, at Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View, 5818 Harbour View Blvd., in Suffolk, starts at 8 a.m.; race begins at 9 a.m.

Entry fee is $25; proceeds go to benefit the Bon Secours Foundation Cancer Care Fund.

Register in advance, online at bshr.com/colonrun.

DIABETES

April 21: 18th annual Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association.

Bike ride starts at King’s Fork High School, 351 King’s Fork Road, Suffolk for various distances — 10 miles, 30 miles, 65 miles and 100 miles.

In 2011, more than 55,000 cyclists in 80 events nationwide raised more than $18 million to support the mission of the ADA to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. the local fundraising goal is $400,000; $175 minimum to participate..

Contact: Annie Holman, ; 757-424-6662, ext. 3276. Training rides at 11 a.m. on Sundays prior at Bike Beat in Chesapeake, 757-424-6151.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

June 2 and 3: Bike MS: Virginia’s Ocean to Bay Ride 2012.

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and body and stops people from moving. every hour in the United States someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. in all, 400,000 are living with the disease in the United States. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. most diagnoses are in people between ages of 20 and 50.

Typically, more than 800 cyclists participate in this 2-day ride; riders are also welcome to ride on just the Saturday.

Multiple sclerosis sufferer Tracey gets a helping paw from clever Kofi

8:36am Thursday 1st March 2012 in News by Sally Clifford

Tracey Robinson, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, with her specially-trained labrador Kofi

They say a dog is man’s best friend. Tracey Robinson’s beautiful black labrador, Kofi, is much more than that.

Kofi collects the post and can open and shut doors – little things Tracey often finds difficult in her daily struggle with multiple sclerosis.

Tracey was 25 when she was diagnosed with the debilitating condition which her mum, Shirley, also suffers from. Shirley was diagnosed in her 40s, and Tracey says being able to talk to her mum and share experiences helps them both.

Tracey’s initial instinct that something was wrong stems from an episode of double vision when she was 15. she had an operation to correct a squint and saw a neurologist, but it would be many years later before she was diagnosed with MS.

around 100,000 people in the UK have MS. it is normally diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40.

MS is a complex condition with many symptoms which can include fatigue, dizziness and vision problems. Balance can be affected, along with the bladder. it can also cause stiffness and spasms.

While nursing, Tracey noticed her leg dragging after a shift and pins and needles in her hands, but she put it down to the effects of having done a long shift.

Dizzy spells and the loss of the use of her right side were symptoms she couldn’t ignore, and after being referred to another neurologist, Tracey was diagnosed with MS.

Her eldest child, Sam, now 25, who runs the family pub in East Bierley, was six months old at the time, but Tracey never let it stop her living her life and copes with it as best she can.

Her daughter Kate is now 20. Both have been to university and Tracey is proud of them and continues to give herself goals.

“I used to have goals in my head – ‘I have got to wait until they are both at school before I get really bad’, ‘I have to wait until they have both left home’ – and now I think, ‘I have to wait until they are married before I get really bad’. It’s moving goals on,” says Tracey.

Her mobility is severely affected. she has an electric wheelchair and a scooter to go out and she never goes out alone.

Tracey has a supportive network around her with friends and family and Kofi, of course.

he joined the family three years ago after Tracey’s husband, Nick, found out about the charity Dogs for the Disabled.

“You hear about dogs for the blind, but I’d never known about them,” says Tracey, referring to Dogs for the Disabled.

“Nick went into it and said the dogs could pick things up for you. Bending down can be really bad for me. if I knelt down to pick something up, I wouldn’t get back up again,” she explains.

Kofi is specially trained to help Tracey around the house, and he can open and shut doors for her.

“If I drop something like the remote control or the phone he will pick it up for me and he fetches the post when it comes,” says Tracey.

“He’s also company for me. I know he is there.”

Tracey tells how Kofi is constantly by her side. he waits while she gets showered and changed on a morning, making sure she is all right.

“He is a lovely dog. he is so gentle,” says Tracey.

Kofi has a special coat so people know he is a working dog. around Tracey’s home village he has become a mini-celebrity. “Everybody likes him,” says Tracey. “He is just somebody else to watch over me.”

since its inception in 1988, Dogs for the Disabled has trained more than 575 assistance dogs. There are currently more than 250 working partnerships and teams across the UK.

Assistance dogs are provided for adults and children. The charity also offers an autism assistance dog service for children with an autistic spectrum condition between the ages of three and ten.

at eight weeks old, the puppies are given to a puppy socialiser, a family who volunteers to look after the puppy for a year, getting it used to sights and sounds in preparation for it becoming a qualified assistance dog.

Opening and closing doors; helping a person dress and undress; barking to raise the alarm in an emergency; picking up items such as mobile telephones or dropped articles like keys or a bag; loading and emptying the washing machine; retrieving slippers, gloves or a remote control; switching lights on and off; fetching the post; pressing a pedestrian crossing button; reaching up to shop-counters with items such as a wallet and helping people to walk by providing a constant forward motion are just some of the tasks the dogs are trained to do.

but the cost of training an assistance dog is £18,000 and the charity receives no Government funding, relying on voluntary donations to fund its work.

since 2004, Dogs for the Disabled has had runners taking part in the Great North Run to support its cause and the charity is appealing for people to participate in this year’s run on Sunday, September 16, to help raise much-needed funds to enable it to improve the quality of many more lives.

To find out more, visit dogsforthedisabled.org/support-us and click on ‘Raise money for us’, e-mail , or call (01295) 252600.for more information about multiple sclerosis, visit mssociety.org.uk.

more News stories

EXTON, Penn.–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Biogen Idec’s Avonex and Bayer’s Betaferon capture the greatest share of first-line prescribing of disease-modifying agents (DMAs) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) according to patient-level data provided by EU5 neurologists. when switching occurs, patients started on the most common first-line DMAs are likely to be switched to either Teva’s Copaxone or Biogen Idec’s Tysabri for their second-line DMA. Patient audit data show that relapse rate and disability progression reduction are the primary drivers of current DMA choice. however, a comparison of self-reported perceptions and audit data suggests that tolerability profile and route of administration may be more important in the choice of DMA brand than neurologists realize. overall, EU5 neurologists are highly satisfied with the clinical response achieved by just over one-half of their DMA-treated patients, although neurologists tend to be more satisfied with the clinical response achieved by patients currently treated with Avonex or Tysabri compared to those treated with Betaferon.

while the majority of EU5 neurologists agree that the availability of the anti-JC virus antibody assay would increase their prescribing of Tysabri, as of the time of study fielding, only 8% of DMA-treated audit patients had been tested with the assay. Patients currently treated with Tysabri represent 48% of assay-tested patients, although neurologists in the UK report testing significantly more of their patients prior to initiating any DMA therapy compared to neurologists in other EU5 countries.

the recently released ChartTrends®: Multiple Sclerosis in the EU report finds that 74% of DMA-treated audit patients currently experience at least some MS-related symptoms. while abnormal sensory perceptions, fatigue, and ataxia are the most common MS-related symptoms, depression / apathy, pain syndromes, spasticity, and bladder / bowel dysfunction are the symptoms most frequently managed using chronic pharmacotherapy. Almirall / Bayer’s Sativex, a symptomatic management agent recently approved for spasticity in the EU and commercially available in the UK and Spain at the time of fielding, has been prescribed to 7% of DMA-treated audit patients in the UK and Spain.

when asked to hypothetically switch audit patients to one of the DMAs in late stage clinical development, 44% of EU5 neurologists identify the greatest opportunity for Novartis’ Gilenya followed by Biogen Idec’s PEG-Avonex and Teva’s laquinimod. among audit patients identified as potential Gilenya candidates, the greatest percentage are currently prescribed Tysabri indicating that these two products may compete directly. a number of patient characteristics appear to help identify the types of patients who are perceived by neurologists as more likely to be switched to either Gilenya or one of the other DMAs in development.

ChartTrends®: Multiple Sclerosis is a syndicated annual patient audit designed to compare what physicians report about disease management to what actually occurs at the patient level. the 2011 audit captures information from 1068 patient charts provided by 228 neurologists from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the UK in April and may 2011. all patients are on a DMA at the time of the audit with all commercially-available DMA brands (Avonex, Betaferon, Copaxone, Extavia, Rebif, Tysabri) represented. a parallel report covering the U.S. market, which includes Novartis’ Gilenya, is also available. through an in-depth review of specific patient charts, details such as product initiation, switching, exacerbation management, and a host of test and patient demographic variables help define patient types and identify therapy triggers. Patient profiles for the seven DMAs in late clinical development (alemtuzumab, BG-12, teriflunomide, laquinimod, PEG-Avonex, daclizumab, ocrelizumab) are also characterized.

About BioTrends Research Group, LLC

BioTrends Research Group, LLC provides syndicated and custom market research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets. For information on BioTrends publications and research capabilities, please contact us at (610) 363-3872 or bio-trends.com.

About decision Resources Group

decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit decision Resources Group at DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

all company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks of their respective holders.

U.S. health regulators said on Tuesday they received a report of a multiple sclerosis patient who died within 24 hours of taking the first dose of Novartis AG’s Gilenya.

SUMMARY

The patient, who had been suffering from multiple sclerosis for over 10 years, died on November 23, one day after receiving his first dose of Gilenya, Novartis said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said at this time, it cannot conclude whether the drug, a potential blockbuster, resulted in the patient’s death, but was evaluating the case.

The patient was also treated with two other drugs, and had completed 6 hours of monitoring after the first Gilenya dose without incident.

Last week, the Swiss drugmaker said it was investigating whether Gilenya caused the death of a 59-year-old patient who had just started therapy with the drug.

The patient, who had been suffering from multiple sclerosis for over 10 years, died on November 23, one day after receiving his first dose of Gilenya, Novartis said.

The FDA said healthcare professionals should observe all patients for signs and symptoms of slow heart rate for 6 hours after the first dose of Gilenya.

However, the regulator said it believes Gilenya provides an important health benefit when used as directed, and patients with multiple sclerosis should not stop taking the drug without talking to their healthcare professional.

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New York, NY (PRWEB) September 01, 2011

the stunning announcement last night of Venus Williams’ withdrawal from the U.S. Open tennis tournament due to a debilitating and difficult to diagnose autoimmune disease is important news for all women suffering similar symptoms. the Lupus Research Institute (LRI) President Margaret Dowd encourages women to speak to their physician if they have symptoms that include overwhelming fatigue and joint pain.

Sjögren’s syndrome often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, taking an average of 6.5 years to identify and treat. the difficulty lies mainly in the similarity of its symptoms to those of other autoimmune diseases. Sjögren’s (SHOH-grins) syndrome is one of 80+ autoimmune diseases; it can occur as a primary condition or as a secondary disorder associated with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. A leading cause of death and disability that affects more than 23.5 million Americans, autoimmune disease means that because of a flaw in the immune system, the body is unable to tell the difference between self and non-self, producing antibodies that attack its own normal cells.

“In comments to the press, Ms. Williams expressed disappointment at being unable to compete because of severe fatigue and pain, but gratitude for recently receiving a diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome that explained symptoms she had been feeling for some time,” said Ms. Dowd. “Unfortunately, her experience is not uncommon; proper diagnosis can take years. Autoimmune disease is particularly prevalent among women in their childbearing years, which is why we particularly urge all young women to seek medical attention if they often feel overwhelmingly tired or have recurring joint pain.”

About the Lupus Research Institute the Lupus Research Institute (LRI), the world’s leading private supporter of innovative research in lupus, pioneers discovery and champions scientific creativity in the hunt for solutions to this complex and dangerous autoimmune disease. Founded by families and shaped by leading scientists, the LRI mandates sound science and rigorous peer review to uncover and support only the highest ranked novel research to prevent, treat and cure lupus.

With its National Coalition of state and local lupus organizations, the LRI is dedicated to finding new and safer options for treating the disease by improving the design of clinical studies and promoting broad participation in clinical trials.

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