Abreos Biosciences announced the U.S. launch of moNATor, a laboratory-developed test that can help physicians monitor the levels of Tysabri (natalizumab) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Tysabri (approved for relapsing forms of MS, by Biogen) administered at a dose of 300 mg every four weeks is known to be effective. But its use is also linked to a higher risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but potentially deadly viral infection of the brain caused by the John Cunningham (JC) virus.
Recently, Biogen researchers used a U.S. risk evaluation and mitigation program for Tysabri users, called the TOUCH Prescribing Program, to determine whether a less frequent dosing regimen — called an extended interval dosing — might change a patient’s PML risk.