Looks like it is administered by IV twice a year. I read elsewhere that the cost is over $150,000 per year! Here is a bit more:
Although more publicity and excitement has been generated over the oral medications coming out, Lemtrada has proven to be a powerful weapon in the fight against MS. Lemtrada has a different method of delivery over other drugs in that it is given intravenously only twice a year. The first dose is administered over a five-day period, with the second dose, six months later, given over a three-day span. So while it still involves the use of a needle, it is neither self-administered nor does it involve a routine that must be adhered to by the patient.
In two phase III trials, Lemtrada was compared to Rebif, a well established MS therapy already on the market. Results showed that Lemtrada demonstrated superior effectiveness. Genzyme (purchased by Sanofi in 2011) made the announcement in a press release on June 28.
“[The] announcement from Genzyme represents a key milestone in the extensive program evaluating LEMTRADA in multiple sclerosis,” said Professor Alastair Compston, head of the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. “The superior efficacy of Lemtrada vs. Rebif in the clinical trials, which was sustained despite infrequent administration, represents an approach to treatment that promises to reshape the future for many people with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.”
The results showed that 65 percent of patients treated with Lemtrada were free of relapses at two years, as compared to 47 percent with Rebif. The data also showed a nearly 50 percent reduction in relapse rate as compared to Rebif.
UNS Price at posting:
57.5¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
