Biovista reports positive efficacy results from multiple sclerosis trial

Biovista, a drug development services company, has reported that BVA-101, its drug targeting multiple sclerosis, has shown significant positive results in the myelin oligodendrocyte protein-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis murine model of multiple sclerosis.

BVA-101, an existing drug that Biovista repositioned in multiple sclerosis (MS) and is aimed at neuroprotection, was shown to have both efficacy in reducing symptoms and no toxic effects in this well established model of MS.

In the animal proof of concept trial, BVA-101 was compared to dexamethasone, a potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drug that is efficient in accelerating the recovery from MS relapses but too toxic for chronic use. BVA-101 induced a statistically significant reduction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis severity, the magnitude of which was statistically similar to that caused by dexamethasone, the company said.

Aris Persidis, president of Biovista, said: We are excited about these early results that confirm the predictive capability of our repositioning platform technology and encourage us to further develop this compound in a disease area where there is a significant need for new therapies.

What is also encouraging is that we reached this stage just four months after deciding to work in MS. At the present time we are exploring all options available to us, including the further co-development with a pharmaceutical company and the licensing of the intellectual property to a generics company.