Biotech, Multiple Sclerosis, Drugs

Tysabri Patient Diagnosed With PML

Luke Timmerman 12/15/08

Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) said today that a patient has been diagnosed with a rare, and often fatal brain infection called PML while taking natalizumab (Tysabri). The Cambridge, MA-based biotech company, which markets the drug along with its partner, Ireland-based Elan, said the patient was in Europe, has a history of taking other immune-suppressors for multiple sclerosis, and had been on Tysabri for more than two years. The patient is being monitored.

Luke Timmerman is the National Biotechnology Editor for Xconomy. You can e-mail him at ltimmerman@xconomy.com, call 206-624-2374, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ldtimmerman.