Acorda says MS drug benefits lasted up to 5 years - BusinessWeek

Acorda says MS drug benefits lasted up to 5 years - BusinessWeek

Acorda says MS drug benefits lasted up to 5 years

HAWTHORNE, N.Y.
 
Acorda Therapeutics Inc. said Wednesday that clinical study data shows its multiple sclerosis drug Ampyra continued to help patients for up to five years.

Ampyra is used to improve the walking speed in MS patients. The company said Wednesday that the benefits of Ampyra that were observed in clinical trials continued for as much as five years in extension studies. The report was based in 483 patients who participated in a late-stage clinical trial of the drug and agreed to join the extension study.

Acorda said patient's walking speed was measured three times in the first six months of the extension study and once every six months after that. The company presented data from the study at the American Academy of Neurology Meeting in New Orleans.

Acorda Therapeutics reported $210.5 million in Ampyra sales in 2011, and it expects $255 million to $275 million in revenue in 2012.

Shares of Acorda rose 2.9 percent to $25.10 on Wednesday and picked up another 7 cents to $25.17 in after-hours trading.