JERUSALEM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA - News) today announced interim data from a prospective, open label survey study evaluating spasticity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who transitioned to COPAXONE (glatiramer acetate injection) from interferon-beta treatment. These data were presented today at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Interim results for the first 52 of 110 participants revealed a significant reduction in muscle stiffness, pain and discomfort, as well as the effect of spasticity on the ability to walk, body movements and activities of daily living (ADLs). Improvement was also found in reduction of total spasticity scores during the six month period.

Spasticity, one of the more common symptoms of RRMS, can often negatively impact patients daily lives, said Cira Fraser PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, Associate Professor and Graduate Faculty, Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey and Principal Investigator of the study. These data may suggest a reduction in the key measures of spasticity in RRMS patients who discontinued interferon-beta treatment and transitioned to COPAXONE.

The prospective longitudinal survey research study is evaluating 110 participants utilizing the Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Scale (MSSS-88), the Performance Scales, and a socio demographic questionnaire completed when transitioning between treatments and at month six. Study criteria included participants who had stopped interferon-beta treatment within 30 days; were about to start, or started COPAXONE within the previous 21 days; had spasticity; and were able to ambulate with unilateral support or without. Of the 52 participants, whose data are currently being reported, 35 percent were taking medication for spasticity prior to enrollment and during the six month period.

These study results contribute to the body of knowledge on the treatment of RRMS, said Jon Congleton, Teva's Senior Vice President, Global Brand Strategic Marketing. Through the ongoing support of research such as this, Teva is continually working to help improve the lives of RRMS patients.

ABOUT THE STUDY

Additional detail can be found on the AAN website: http://www.abstracts2view.com/aan/

[P07.074] A Prospective Study of Spasticity in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Transition from Interferon-Beta to Glatiramer Acetate (Session P07: Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms, April 26 at 2:00 PM) Cira J. Fraser, West Long Branch, NJ

ABOUT COPAXONE

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Preliminary Data Suggest Spasticity May Be Reduced in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Who Transitioned ...