Genzyme is the company that is developing Alemtuzumab (formerly known as Campath-1h) for MS. Alemtuzumab is clearly the most effective of the emerging drugs in clinical development. Sanofi on the other hand are developing Teriflunomide, an oral disease-modifying therapy, that has been reported to reduce the attack rate in relapsing-remitting MS compared to placebo by about 30%. How will Sanofi integrate these two compounds into clinical practice? Will Alemtuzumab be used as induction therapy and Teriflunomide as maintenance therapy? What is clear is that Sanofi will become a major player in the MS arena.
Given that there is good evidence that for many patients Alemtuzumab cam provide long-lasting remission, I would hope that neuros wouldn't encourage patients following Alemtuzumab to start Terilunomide without good evidence that this is needed. Unfortunately the pharma companies want patients on long term expensive MS treatments (Rebif etc), and Alemtuzumab doesn't provide huge returns. I see that Alemtuzumab has been re-branded. Given that Campath (Alemtuzumab) is already licensed for some cancers, I hope neuros won't pay any more than the oncologists! i.e. for an old drug with a new name for the MS market!