Medical Researchers to Release New MS Drug

CLEVELAND — Medical researchers are preparing to release a new drug for multiple sclerosis patients. The drug has the potential to stop the disease from progressing.

Dubbed BG-12, the neuroprotective drug reportedly reduces the activity of the disease by as much as 53 percent. It also appears to have fewer risks and side effects compared to other MS drugs, and is taken orally rather than injected.

Doctors also say BG-12 combines two common lines of medical defense against the disease, making the drug more efficient.

Researchers are anticipating FDA approval by December 2012 at the earliest.

Details of the study and associated medical trials are published in the September 20 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.