Biogen/Elan Begin Promoting Tysabri Efficacy; Other JP Morgan Items In Brief

Executive Summary

Tysabri marketing moves to efficacy: Biogen Idec/Elan are returning the marketing emphasis for the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri (natalizumab) back to efficacy, after initially focusing on educating patients and physicians about the TOUCH risk management program and the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, Biogen Idec CEO Jim Mullen states. "It's been probably since we withdrew this product from the market in February 2005 [that] we've really discussed efficacy," he said. "That's the next phase of this launch, to really emphasize the important efficacy of this product." The firms relaunched Tysabri in June following FDA reapproval (1"The Pink Sheet" June 12, 2006, p. 5)...