Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech, a Swedish biopharmaceutical company, have discontinuation of higher doses of laquinimod in two ongoing studies in multiple sclerosis after the occurrence of cardiovascular events, none of which was fatal, in eight patients. Laquinimod is a once-daily oral, investigational, central nervous system-active immunomodulator with a mechanism of action being developed for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS, primary-progressive MS, and Huntington disease

Through a licensing agreement, Teva has global rights to develop and commercialize laquinimod, a small-molecule entity discovered by Active Biotech. Based in Stockholmd, Sweden, Active Biotech is a biotechnology company with focus on neurodegenerative/inflammatory diseases and cancer.

The companies are continuing clinical development of a lower dose amount (0.6 mg daily). Seven events were observed in patients receiving laquinimod daily at 1.2mg for treatment of relapsing-remitting MS, and one event was observed in the 1.5-mg daily-dose arm for treating primary-progressive MS.

Source: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries