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