Merck To Present Data On Comparative Effectiveness Of Rebif® Versus Oral Therapy At Aan Annual Meeting

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced that clinical and real-world data about interferon beta-1a (Rebif®), will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s (AAN) 68th Annual Meeting, taking place April 15-21, 2016, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

A real-world assessment of relapse rates in patients with MS newly initiating self-injectable treatment with interferon beta-1a versus an oral disease-modifying therapy, as well as the clinical effect of interferon beta-1a on ‘no evident disease activity’ (NEDA) and MRI outcomes, will be revealed in data presented by Merck.

“Patients with MS have more choices than ever before, but, given the potential devastation of this disease, consistent validation and balance of comparative effectiveness is paramount to selecting the most appropriate treatment,” said Rick Munschauer, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Neurology and Immunology, EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck in the U.S and Canada. “We are committed to enhancing care for people living with MS. That commitment includes continuing to deepen our understanding of the clinical and real-world impact of Rebif to inform the most optimal choice of therapy for patients. With a well-established safety profile supported by more than 20 years of combined clinical trial and patient experience and efficacy across three key disease measures – including reducing relapse rates and delaying disability progression – Rebif is an important treatment option for relapsing MS.”