SCHERING RECEIVES RECOMMENDATION FOR EARLY USE OF BETAFERON IN MS FROM EU BODY

Schering AG said it has received a recommendation from the EU committee for medicinal products (CHMP) that use of Betaferon in early-stage multiple sclerosis patients be approved by the European Commission. A decision by the Commission is expected by this summer. The Committee's decision is based on the BENEFIT study, which showed that Betaferon treatment in the early phase of the disease reduced the risk of developing clinically definite MS (CDMS) by 50 pct compared to placebo. Forex (http://www.forextelevision.com/FT/AFX/ShowStory.jsp?seq=102864)