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| |  AAN: Avonex (interferon beta-1a) helps delay development of multiple sclerosis CAMBRIDGE, MA -- May 3, 2000 -- Biogen, Inc. has announced the data from its Champs study at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in San Diego. The data from the Phase III trial, presented by Champs investigators, showed a highly statistically significant beneficial effect of Avonex® (Interferon beta-1a) on delaying the development of clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) in individuals at high risk for the disease. The manuscript is currently under review by a peer-reviewed journal. Biogen is proceeding with plans to file an application for a broadened prescribing label for Avonex with regulatory agencies worldwide. Champs, which stands for Controlled High Risk Subjects Avonex Multiple Sclerosis Prevention Study, was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The primary objective of the Champs study was to determine whether Avonex is beneficial in delaying the onset of clinically definite MS in high-risk people who have experienced the recent onset of a first demyelinating event but yet do not have clinically definite MS. Clinically definite MS is identified by the presence of at least two demyelinating events, separated by time and location in the central nervous system (CNS). To date, there are no well-accepted guidelines for the treatment of these patients, who are at high risk for, but have not yet developed, clinically definite MS. The Champs trial was planned to last three years but a decision was made to stop the trial early in February 2000, at the recommendation of an independent Data Monitoring Committee after a preplanned interim efficacy analysis indicated positive results. The majority of patients completed at least two years in the study. Jim Vincent, Biogen's Chairman and CEO, said, "This is a clear demonstration that a therapeutic intervention such as Avonex can be effective in delaying the onset of clinically definite MS in high-risk individuals and confirms the benefit of early treatment in MS. Everything we continue to learn about Avonex supports the "treat early" guidelines issued by the U.S. National Multiple Sclerosis Society and other MS societies worldwide and confirms use along a broad spectrum of this progressively disabling disease." Avonex is the leading treatment for multiple sclerosis worldwide. It was launched in the U.S. in 1996 for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to slow the accumulation of physical disability and to decrease the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Approximately 86,000 patients worldwide are now on Avonex therapy, which is marketed internationally in more than 60 countries. Biogen, Inc., winner of the 1998 U.S. National Medal of Technology, is a biopharmaceutical company principally engaged in discovering and developing drugs for human healthcare through genetic engineering. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, the Company's revenues are generated from worldwide sales of Avonex (Interferon beta-1a) for treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, and from the worldwide sales by licensees of a number of products, including alpha interferon and hepatitis B vaccines and diagnostic products. Biogen's research and development activities are focused on novel products for multiple sclerosis, inflammatory, respiratory, kidney and cardiovascular diseases and in developmental biology and gene therapy. Related Links: Avonex (Interferon beta-1a) and Biogen, Inc.
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