Tysabri Patient Diagnosed With PML

Luke Timmerman12/15/08

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 Biotech Editor of Xconomy, and the Editor of Xconomy Seattle. E-mail him at ltimmerman@xconomy.com or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ldtimmerman.