Berlex Betaseron loses 20% of MS patients to Biogen Avonex -- Schering AG's Vita.
Executive Summary
BERLEX BETASERON LOSES 20% OF PATIENTS TO BIOGEN AVONEX since the introduction of the second interferon beta product in May 1996, Schering AG Chairman Giuseppe Vita said at a press conference in Berlin March 19. He said that as a result of the Avonex launch, "we recorded a decline of 6,000 patients." This "did not surprise us," Vita continued. "A loss of 20% during the transition from a situation as a sole supplier to a competition situation is nearer the lower limit of other experiences."