Laquinimod is the successor of Active Biotech's failed experimental immunomodulator linomide.[1]
The compound has been investigated in two Phase II trials using successive magnetic resonance scans (MRI). Laquinimod seems to be able to reduce the MS disease activity on MRI.[2][3][4] However, the response to a given dose was discrepant between both studies.[5]
Phase III studies for MS started in December 2007.[6] In 2011, Teva announced its clinical trials involving laquinimod had failed, being unable to significantly reduce relapses in MS among patients beyond a placebo.[7] However, the final results of above-mentioned phase III trial proved oral laquinimod administered once daily slowed the progression of disability and reduced the rate of relapse in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis.[8][clarification needed]
On May 7, 2013 laquinimod was approved by the Russian Ministry of Health (the FDA analog) as a treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) under the brand name Nerventra.[9]
^Tan IL, Lycklama à Nijeholt GJ, Polman CH, et al. (April 2000). "Linomide in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: MRI results from prematurely terminated phase-III trials". Mult Scler. 6 (2): 99–104. doi:10.1191/135245800678827626. PMID10773855.
^Comi G, Pulizzi A, Rovaris M, et al. (June 2008). "Effect of laquinimod on MRI-monitored disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIb study". Lancet. 371 (9630): 2085–2092. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60918-6. PMID18572078.
^Polman C, Barkhof F, Sandberg-Wollheim M, et al. (March 2005). "Treatment with laquinimod reduces development of active MRI lesions in relapsing MS". Neurology. 64 (6): 987–91. doi:10.1212/01.WNL.0000154520.48391.69. PMID15781813.
^He, Dian; Han, Kai; Gao, Xiangdong; Dong, Shuai; Chu, Lan; Feng, ZhanHui; Wu, Shan (2013-08-06). Chu, Lan (ed.). "Laquinimod for multiple sclerosis". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (8): CD010475. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010475.pub2. ISSN1469-493X. PMID23922214.
^Clinical trial number NCT00509145 for "Safety and Efficacy of Orally Administered Laquinimod Versus Placebo for Treatment of Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) (ALLEGRO)" at ClinicalTrials.gov
^Kresege, Naomi (1 August 2011). "Teva's Copaxone Successor Fails in Latest Clinical Trial". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2 August 2011. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA)'s experimental multiple sclerosis pill failed to reduce relapses more than placebo in a clinical trial, dealing a blow to the company's effort to find a successor to an older drug.
^Comi, G.; Jeffery, D.; Kappos, L.; Montalban, X.; Boyko, A.; Rocca, M. A.; Filippi, M.; Allegro Study, G. (2012). "Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Laquinimod for Multiple Sclerosis". New England Journal of Medicine. 366 (11): 1000–1009. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1104318. hdl:10459.1/65687. PMID22417253.