Elan President Carlos Paya On TYSABRI News Reports

MARCH 24, 2009 -- Two news reports today about TYSABRI® (natalizumab) reflected the ongoing work being done to bring this important therapy to multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn's disease patients. In the first story, Bloomberg said that Biogen Idec -- Elan's collaborator in TYSABRI for MS -- is testing mefloquine, a treatment for malaria, as a possible treatment for patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a rare brain disorder that has been linked to TYSABRI and other autoimmune therapies. In the second story, Dow Jones reported that Biogen Idec will, in an upcoming investor presentation, state that it believes TYSABRI's risk profile is improving and that physicians' confidence in TYSABRI is growing.

Elan President Carlos V. Paya, MD, PhD, said the news reports were promising.

"I believe TYSABRI, which was discovered in Elan's laboratories, truly has changed the outcome for MS patients," Dr. Paya said. "We will continue to work with Biogen Idec to maximize the potential and the patient relevance of TYSABRI for patients, their families and their caregivers." Back to top