Biogen Reports Positive Results in Study of Clotting Factor For Hemophilia B

   By Tess Stynes 
 

Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB) said its treatment for hemophilia B, a rare inherited disorder that impairs blood coagulation, showed positive results in a phase three clinical study.

The pharmaceutical company and European distributor Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (SOBI.SK, BIOVF) said the long-lasting clotting factor candidate, called recombinant Factor IX Fc fusion protein, was effective on a number of goals including the control and prevention of bleeding and was generally well-tolerated.

More than 90% of bleeding episodes were controlled by a single injection of the treatment in the study.

The company plans to present further results at a future scientific meeting and to submit a biologics license application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the first half of next year.

Biogen Idec in July reported its second-quarter earnings rose 34% as revenue continued to grow amid strong sales growth for its biggest drug, multiple-sclerosis treatment Avonex.

Biogen shares were up 1.8% at $155.64 in light premarket trading. The stock was up 39% this year through Tuesday's close.

Write to Tess Stynes at [e-mail]

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