Studies: New Drug Effective against MS

A new medicine appears effective against multiple sclerosis (MS), 2 new studies find. Unlike most MS drugs, it is given as a pill. The studies focused on BG-12, developed by Biogen Idec. The drug is a version of the chemical fumarate. It works by protecting nerves against injury. One study included about 1,200 people. They had the relapsing and remitting form of MS. Symptoms for this type of MS come and go. People were randomly assigned to receive either of 2 doses of BG-12, or placebo (fake) pills. After 2 years, relapse rates were reduced by half in the 2 groups that received BG-12, compared with the placebo group. The other study included about 1,400 people. The design and results were similar. But this study also included a group that received glatiramer (Copaxone). This is an injection drug already used to treat MS.