Long-term study shows Copaxone delays disability.

"The longer a patient takes Copaxone the better it works," said Dr. Kenneth Johnson, chairman of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and recipient of the John Dystel Prize for MS research in 2000. Data from 6 years of a study headed by Dr. Johnson were published in the August issue of the medical journal Multiple Sclerosis. The investigation will be complete when the participants reach the 10-year mark in 2002.

Dr. Johnson's study involves 101 people who were involved in the initial clinical trials of Copaxone for relapsing-remitting MS, and who continue to take this drug every day. In the past 6 years, 75% of them experienced no confirmed progression of their MS, and 10% improved, as measured by a scale called the Expanded Disability Status Scale (or EDSS).

In addition, 77 of the study participants have had 3 or fewer relapses, and 26 no relapses at all in 6 years. On average, people in the Copaxone study group have had 1 relapse every 4 to 5 years, compared with 2 in the 2 years before they started on the medication. While there are no untreated people in this study for comparison purposes, it provides information about long-term safety and efficacy for Copaxone.

"Over time, people with relapsing-remitting MS who are not on any treatment experience fewer relapses, but they are known to develop increasing fixed disability," Dr. Johnson said. "This study showed that the beneficial effect of Copaxone on neurological disability has continued over 6 years."