Biogen Idec Receives Conditional Approval in the European Union for FAMPYRA® to Improve Walking in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

Biogen Idec BIIB announced today it has received conditional approval from the European Commission for FAMPYRA® (prolonged-release fampridine tablets) to improve walking in adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have walking disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale 4-7). FAMPYRA is the first treatment that addresses this unmet medical need with demonstrated efficacy in people with all types of MS.1 FAMPYRA can be used alone or in combination with disease modifying therapies, including immunomodulatory drugs. “With its approval by the European Commission, FAMPYRA has the potential to make a real difference for thousands of people across Europe with both relapsing remitting and progressive forms of MS,” explained Prof. Dr. Bernd C. Kieseier, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Duesseldorf. “Functional impairment in MS presents many challenges for patients and walking impairment is one of the most physically and emotionally disruptive aspects. Until now, no approved treatment has existed to address this issue and FAMPYRA should provide patients and clinicians with a welcome new option.” People with MS consistently rate walking as the most important function throughout the course of their condition2. Walking impairment is directly associated with loss of independence, restrictions on a patient's ability to work and a reduction in overall levels of household income3,4. “Walking disability is one of the most devastating consequences of MS and one of the symptoms MS patients are most concerned about. It can significantly impact quality of life as well as social participation,” explained Douglas E. Williams, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Research and Development at Biogen Idec. “Patients worldwide are benefitting from Biogen Idec's therapies, and FAMPYRA is the third product Biogen Idec is bringing to the MS community in Europe. We are excited to offer patients this novel oral therapy that has been shown to improve walking ability.”