`sclerosis drug [Novantrone] in
`U.S.
`
`Created 11/13/2002 - 12:30
`By Kim Frick and Chantal Pfenniger
`SOURCE: [Bloomberg [1]]
`Geneva, Nov. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Serono SA, Europe's biggest
`biotechnology company, agreed to sell Amgen Inc.'s multiple sclerosis
`medicine Novantrone in the U.S.
`The companies didn't disclose the terms of the agreement. Novantrone
`last year generated U.S. sales of $71 million after regulators approved the
`drug for multiple sclerosis in October 2000. Amgen obtained the drug
`when it acquired Immunex Corp. in July 2002.
`Serono is trying to expand in the $2.5 billion worldwide market for multiple
`sclerosis treatments. The Geneva-based company already sells the
`medicine Rebif, which accounted for 40 percent of sales in the third
`quarter.
`"It's a good move and shows Serono is really interested in building their
`MS franchise,'' said Dorothea Koeppe, an analyst at Lombard Odier
`Darier Hentsch & Cie., who recommends buying shares of Serono.
`Serono shares rose 5 Swiss francs, or 0.6 percent to 830 francs, as of
`12:09 p.m. in Zurich trading. The shares have declined 43 percent this
`year.
`
`5/27/2015
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`Serono to sell Amgen multiple sclerosis drug [Novantrone] in U.S. - FirstWord Pharma Print
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`http://www.firstwordpharma.com/print/212958?tsid=17
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`Cancer Drug
`Novantrone treats patients with the less common "secondary progressive''
`form of the disease and is generally reserved for patients who no longer
`respond to other drugs. Side effects including low white-blood-cell counts
`and heart problems are associated with the medicine.
`The drug is also used to treat acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, and
`because of its toxicity the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
`recommends patents not ordinarily receive more than eight to 12 doses
`over two or three years.
`"It will give Serono access to new patients, but it's only a small part of new
`patients,'' Koeppe said.
`Serono is also working with U.S. drugmaker Ivax Corp. to develop a
`multiple sclerosis treatment, which may be the world's first effective oral
`medicine for the disease. Current drugs for MS must be injected.
`Multiple sclerosis is a disabling neurological disease that interferes with
`messages sent between the brain and other parts of the body. Patients
`can experience loss of limb control, fatigue and partial blindness.
`Earlier this year, Serono won U.S. approval to sell Rebif for relapsing
`forms of the disease. Symptoms in relapsing-remitting patients may ease
`or disappear for months while patients with secondary progressive forms
`of the disease have more severe symptoms.
`Copyright, Bloomberg L.P.
`
`FirstWord Pharma is a reliable news service providing an efficient and
`timely global overview of the news and events impacting the
`pharmaceutical industry.
`To access additional articles of interest, please visit
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`
`© 2015 Doctor's Guide Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved.
`
`5/27/2015
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`Serono to sell Amgen multiple sclerosis drug [Novantrone] in U.S. - FirstWord Pharma Print
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`http://www.firstwordpharma.com/print/212958?tsid=17
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`MYLAN PHARMS. INC. EXHIBIT 1117 PAGE 2