Experimental Drug Boosts Outcomes in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Additional data from a clinical trial evaluating daclizumab HYP (Zinbryta) showed improvements in cognitive outcome measures for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).

“Zinbryta is an investigational therapy that is thought to work by regulating inflammation without broadly depleting the immune system — an important consideration for people living with the disease,” said Ralph Kern, MD, senior vice president, Worldwide Medical, Biogen. “Zinbryta has been shown to increase certain types of immunoregulatory cells and reduce cells that contribute to neurological injury caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).”

A post-hoc analysis of exploratory efficacy endpoints from a phase 3 study showed an improvement in cognitive outcomes with the administration of Zinbryta compared with interferon beta-1a (Avonex) over a 3-year period.

Other data offers insight into Zinbryta’s targeted mechanism of action by demonstrating that it was not responsible for broad immune cell depletion. Furthermore, its effects on total lymphocyte counts were reversible with about an 8- to 12-week period upon treatment discontinuation.

The post-hoc analysis of safety data revealed that 94% of cutaneous adverse events (AEs) associated with Zinbryta were only mild or moderate in severity.

Serious cutaneous AEs occurred in 2% of patients and were resolved after topical and/or systemic steroids, antihistamines, other therapies, or treatment discontinuation.

“We are pleased to present additional analyses from the Zinbryta clinical program,” said Michael Severino, MD, executive vice president, research and development and chief scientific officer, AbbVie. “This work provides important insights into the immunology behind Zinbryta. We are very encouraged by the results we have seen from Zinbryta and are focused on bringing a potential new treatment option to patients who suffer from this devastating disease.”

The findings were presented by Biogen and AbbVie at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada.