FDA Approval of MS Injection Plegridy Big Win for Biogen

On Friday, the FDA approved Biogen’s application to market Plegridy, a new type of injectable drug for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Plegridy has the same active ingredient -- interferon beta -- as Biogen's Avonex, but an added polymer increases the exposure of the drug, allowing patients to take doses less frequently. While Avonex has to be injected into the muscle once a week, Plegridy can be taken by injection every two weeks.

The Cambridge biotech expects to woo patients away from shorter-acting interferons, and believes Plegridy has the potential to be the leading interferon on the market.

Read the Boston Globe release