ScienceDaily (June 15, 2012) The first large non-commercial study to investigate whether the main active constituent of cannabis (tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) is effective in slowing the course of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) shows that there is no evidence to suggest this; although benefits were noted for those at the lower end of the disability scale.

The CUPID (Cannabinoid Use in Progressive Inflammatory brain Disease) study was carried out by researchers from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD), Plymouth University. The study was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and managed by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on behalf of the MRC-NIHR partnership, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.

The preliminary results of CUPID are to be presented by lead researcher Professor John Zajicek at the Association of British Neurologists’ Annual Meeting in Brighton on May 29th.

CUPID enrolled nearly 500 people with MS from 27 centres around the UK, and has taken eight years to complete. People with progressive MS were randomised to receive either THC capsules or identical placebo capsules for three years, and were carefully followed to see how their MS changed over this period. The two main outcomes of the trial were a disability scale administered by neurologists (the Expanded Disability Status Scale), and a patient report scale of the impact of MS on people with the condition (the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29).

Overall the study found no evidence to support an effect of THC on MS progression in either of the main outcomes. However, there was some evidence to suggest a beneficial effect in participants who were at the lower end of the disability scale at the time of enrollment but, as the benefit was only found in a small group of people rather than the whole population, further studies will be needed to assess the robustness of this finding. One of the other findings of the trial was that MS in the study population as a whole progressed slowly, more slowly than expected. This makes it more challenging to find a treatment effect when the aim of the treatment is that of slow progression.

As well as evaluating the potential neuroprotective effects and safety of THC over the long-term, one of the aims of the CUPID study was to improve the way that clinical trial research is done by exploring newer methods of measuring MS and using the latest statistical methods to make the most of every piece of information collected. This analysis will continue for several months. The CUPID study will therefore provide important information about conducting further large scale clinical trials in MS.

Professor John Zajicek, Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at PCMD, Plymouth University, said: “To put this study into context: current treatments for MS are limited, either being targeted at the immune system in the early stages of the disease or aimed at easing specific symptoms such as muscle spasms, fatigue or bladder problems. At present there is no treatment available to slow MS when it becomes progressive. Progression of MS is thought to be due to death of nerve cells, and researchers around the world are desperately searching for treatments that may be ‘neuroprotective’. Laboratory experiments have suggested that certain cannabis derivatives may be neuroprotective.”

He added: “Overall our research has not supported laboratory based findings and shown that, although there is a suggestion of benefit to those at the lower end of the disability scale when they joined CUPID, there is little evidence to suggest that THC has a long term impact on the slowing of progressive MS.”

Dr Doug Brown, Head of Biomedical Research at the MS Society, said: “There are currently no treatments for people with progressive MS to slow or stop the worsening of disability. The MS Society is committed to supporting research in this area and this was an important study for us to fund. While this study sadly suggests THC is ineffective at slowing the course of progressive MS, we will not stop our search for effective treatments. We are encouraged by the possibility shown by this study that THC may have potential benefits for some people with MS and we welcome further investigation in this area.”

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Active ingredient of cannabis has no effect on the progression of multiple sclerosis, study suggests

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Dear Dr. Gott: Please give me information on multiple sclerosis. Do you recommend any holistic or natural supplements that are helpful in treating the condition? My 41-year-old daughter-in-law has just been diagnosed with it. Thank you. Your column is very informative.

Dear Reader: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the protective sheath covering the nerves. This, in turn, interferes with signals between the brain and the remainder of the body, resulting in nerve deterioration.

Symptoms vary from person to person but can include an inability to speak or walk, dizziness, tremor, unsteady gait, double or blurred vision, weakness on one side of the body at a time or on the bottom half of the body. Increases in body temperature can worsen symptoms.

For the complete article, please pick up a copy of The Daily Reflector. Current home delivery and electronic edition subscribers may log in to access this article at no charge. To become a subscriber, please click here or contact Customer Service at (252) 329-9505.

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30-11-2011 13:59 Dr. Terry Wahls learned how to properly fuel her body. Using the lessons she learned at the subcellular level, she used diet to cure her MS and get out of her wheelchair.

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TEDxIowaCity - Dr. Terry Wahls - Minding Your Mitochondria - Video

31-08-2011 13:22 MS Learn Online is the National MS Society's online educational webcast series. This video features a discussion with George Kraft, MD, who talks about aging and multiple sclerosis.

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Aging and MS -- National MS Society - Video

22-08-2011 15:23 Ground-breaking research at Case Western Reserve University has led to a new clinical trial of an experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis. A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center have come together to test the feasibility and safety of using the body's own stem cells to treat MS.

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New Study Tests Possible Treatment for MS - Video

27-12-2011 07:37 http://www.DrKrupka.com Dr. Krupka gives a detailed account of how Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is affected by vitamin D levels and Viral history. This is some serious content and worth watching more than once. If you have an autoimmune disease or know someone who does, grab your pen and paper to take notes and change your life!! Pass it on to your friends.

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MS, Vitamin D and Viruses...a MUST SEE! - Video

17-12-2011 16:30 You can support MS Research by visiting these sites: http://www.mssociety.org.uk http://www.nationalmssociety.org For the entirety of Project for Awesome, ALL SALES FROM MY BANDCAMP will be donated directly to the MS Society. If you care to donate, you can do so by going to my page here: http://www.AlexCarpenter.BandCamp.com To learn more about the disease, you can go here ms.about.com or a multitude of other places on the web. If you are not familiar with the disease, please take a moment to read about it. For the entirety of Project for Awesome, ALL SALES FROM MY BANDCAMP will be donated directly to the MS Society. If you care to donate, you can do so by going to my page here: http://www.AlexCarpenter.BandCamp.com If you would like to donate directly, I urge you to go here A quick word about how personal this is to me: I have not written about this, because I am a pretty private person when it comes to real things in my real life, but I know a couple people who are affected by MS to varying degrees in their lives. Someone who I look up to a lot and I love very dearly has had the illness for more than 15 years and it has become a very major and real part of his everyday life, which serves as a daily reminder for me to do all that I can to try and help the cause in every way I can. I have seen firsthand how difficult living with MS can be. Project for Awesome is a day that we are meant to talk about things that are truly important to us, that we unconditionally care about. I have always held back ...

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18-01-2012 17:00 David Hubbard MD, Neurologist, discusses Multiple Sclerosis, CCSVI and the immune system.

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CCSVI - Multiple Sclerosis and the Immune System - David Hubbard MD - CCSVI - Video

13-01-2012 12:56 Featuring: Dr. Stephen Krieger, Dr. Aliza Ben-Zacharia, and Dr. Susan Bennett

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Spasticity and MS: Management Strategies - Video

31-12-2011 17:42 NEWEST PODCAST jpmetz.com Subscribe to my Podcast on iTunes! itunes.apple.com MAIN CHANNEL http://www.youtube.com TUMBLR ihategeese.tumblr.com TWITTER http FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com

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Past 3 Months of MS - Video

25-01-2012 07:16 The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America in coordination with the National Disability Institute are pleased to present "Invest in Yourself" - the fourth in a series of four webinars designed to assist the MS community in learning about strategies to protect and improve their financial well-being. These programs offer hands-on guidance specifically tailored to the unique needs and interests of people living with MS. The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). MSAA provides ongoing support and direct services to individuals with MS and the people close to them. The National Disability Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC dedicated to improving the financial stability and mobility of persons with disabilities and their families.

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Financial Well-Being Series: Invest in Yourself - Video

23-01-2012 19:34 Judy shares her story about her son Bruce who passed away in 2010 after a battle with an incredibly aggressive form of multiple sclerosis (MS). Bruce was only in his early 30's. Judy is a loving mother who is very thankful to MS Queensland who cared for Bruce up until his death at their long term care facility, Granston Lodge in Dutton Park on Brisbane's southside. Thank you to Pete Ireland and The Production Room for volunteering their expertise, resources and time to produce this heartfelt video for the MS Society.

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Judy's MS Story - Video

PARIS (Reuters) - Sanofi SA risks falling behind in the battle for share of the fast-growing multi-billion euro multiple sclerosis (MS) market, as rivals push ahead with revolutionary treatments while doubts remain over the French drugmaker's own drug candidates.

Sanofi, which has relied on blood thinners and cancer therapies to drive sales but faces increased competition from generic drug versions, is preparing to submit two MS treatments for approval this year.

But it faces an uphill battle to catch Novartis AG's Gilenya and Biogen Idec Inc's BG-12, set to dominate a market that JPMorgan analysts see growing to $14 billion (8 billion pound) in 2015 from $9.6 billion last year.

"Sanofi will remain a small player compared with Biogen or Novartis, but it will still remain on the radar screen," said Beatrice Muzard, an analyst at brokerage Natixis.

MS, which has no cure, affects 2.5 million people worldwide. It is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system and can lead to numbness, paralysis and loss of vision.

Standard treatment has involved injected drugs such as Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd's Copaxone, Tysabri - sold by Biogen and Elan Ltd - and interferons. But the approval of Gilenya in 2010 introduced a potent new option in pill form.

Gilenya and other oral MS treatments in late-stage development such as BG-12 are expected to drive growth in the sector.

But analysts estimate Sanofi will grab only a modest share, given question marks over its drug candidates Aubagio and Lemtrada. Natixis' Muzard predicts the French firm's MS drugs could have peak sales of just 1 billion euros - not enough to plug the gap left by loss of earnings from the arrival of generic competition to its top blood thinner, Plavix.

STICKING POINT

Sanofi acquired Lemtrada through its $20.1 billion takeover of U.S. biotech group Genzyme last year, when it was already developing MS pill Aubagio. If approved, both drugs could end up reaching the U.S. and European markets by the end of the year.

"It's pretty unusual for a company to come out with two new products at once, and actually cover the spectrum of the disease," Sanofi Chief Executive Chris Viehbacher told Reuters.

Trouble is, there are doubts about both medicines.

Lemtrada was the main sticking point in the protracted merger talks between Sanofi and Genzyme and, at the time, Viehbacher's team was keen to talk down its prospects. Genzyme had projected peak Lemtrada sales of $3.5 billion a year, while Sanofi pitched the number at around $700 million.

The final deal between the two companies included a "contingent value right" , a tradeable security that gives payouts to Genzyme investors if certain revenue targets are met, to bridge their differences.

"When we were acquiring Genzyme, we were rightly sceptical of Lemtrada, because I am not keen on paying for things that are not proven," Viehbacher said.

"Now that we have seen the clinical trial results - I have seen them but I cannot say more because we are going to publish them in April - we are very excited about this multiple sclerosis franchise."

Unlike older MS drugs that have to be injected daily or weekly, Lemtrada is given just once a year.

"I think Lemtrada is going to be completely different than everything else, which makes it difficult for the market to assess," said Viehbacher.

Certainly analyst views vary widely. Morgan Stanley is forecasting 1 billion euros in peak sales for Lemtrada, while Nomura only sees $360 million.

Medical experts back Viehbacher's view that a wider choice of treatments is needed given the unpredictable nature of MS.

"Doctors and patients are looking for multiple options because the disease is so variable," said Tim Coetzee, chief research officer of the U.S.-based National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "A drug that is effective in some patients may not be effective in other patients."

LATER STAGE

Yet Lemtrada's prospects remain far from certain. During mid-stage tests the drug showed an unprecedented level of efficacy in reducing relapses over a three-year period, but this outcome was not repeated in a later-stage trial.

It can also have serious side effects, which make it likely to be prescribed only to treat more severe forms of the disease.

Compared with older therapies, Aubagio has the advantage of being an oral drug. But it has produced less impressive results in clinical tests than BG-12 and Gilenya - though heart issues have recently cast a shadow over Gilenya.

In one recent study, Aubagio failed to show it was better than Rebif, a commonly used injectable interferon from Germany's Merck KGaA , although it did have milder side effects.

"Aubagio won't take a lot of market share ... but it could find a niche on the basis of its safety profile," said Muzard, who is forecasting sales of around 400 million euros in 2018, compared with 2.6 billion for Gilenya.

That niche could be found among newly diagnosed patients, since around 35 to 40 percent prefer to take no medication rather than face unwanted side effects.

"Here's the challenge: convincing patients to start therapy," said Kevin Richard, co-founder of U.S. consultancy ClearView Healthcare Partners. "In this case Aubagio could be prescribed to patients who are not on interferons yet and who are hesitant to start injections."

Sanofi filed Aubagio with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October and aims to submit it for approval in Europe in the first quarter of 2012, when it also expects to file Lemtrada with both regulators.

(Additional reporting by Ben Hirschler in London; Editing by David Holmes)

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Sanofi faces uphill struggle in MS drug market

WESTON, Mass. & DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB - News) and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN - News) today announced a global Phase 3b study, ASCEND, that is being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of TYSABRI as a treatment for secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, approximately half of all people initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) - the most common form of multiple sclerosis (MS) - will transition to SPMS within 19 years.

Patients with RRMS typically experience unpredictable relapses; the time between relapses is characterized by full or partial recovery and a lack of disease progression. SPMS is characterized by a steady progression of nerve damage, symptoms and disability, but the exact reasons for the progression are unknown. The potential for greater disease burden in SPMS typically includes decreased mobility, impaired activities of daily living, loss of independence and reduced quality of life.

"There are limited treatment options available to people living with SPMS and there is a high unmet need for effective therapies,” said Aaron Miller, M.D., member of the ASCEND advisory board; Medical Director, Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis; and Co-Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Care Center at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. “The ASCEND trial is investigating whether treatment with TYSABRI may prevent worsening in walking, hand movement and daily functioning in these patients.”

"One hypothesis behind the development of SPMS is that disease progression is a result of chronic inflammation in the brain tissue trapped behind the blood-brain-barrier. This causes destruction of the myelin sheath which protects the coating around nerve fibers, as well as the progressive loss of nerve cells, which can lead to disability in MS patients,” said Professor Richard Reynolds, Professor of Cellular Neuroscience, Imperial College, London; and Scientific Director of the UK Multiple Sclerosis Society Tissue Bank. “Preliminary data suggest that TYSABRI may hinder this inflammation in the brain and reduce SPMS-related disease progression; therefore, further investigation of this hypothesis is warranted."

The ASCEND study is part of the ongoing commitment of both Biogen Idec and Elan to find ways to improve the well-being of patients with multiple sclerosis.

About the ASCEND Study

ASCEND (A Study to Characterize the Efficacy of Natalizumab on Disability in SPMS) is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with SPMS patients being randomized to receive either TYSABRI 300 mg or placebo intravenously every four weeks for 96 weeks. A global study, ASCEND is expected to enroll approximately 850 patients in 15 countries.

Study participants will be between the ages of 18 and 58, inclusive, with a diagnosis of SPMS for at least two years; an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 3.0 and 6.5, inclusive; MS Severity Score of 4 or higher; documented, confirmed evidence of disease progression, independent of clinical relapses during the one-year prior to enrollment; and naïve to TYSABRI treatment.

The primary endpoint is to investigate whether treatment with TYSABRI slows the accumulation of disability not related to relapses in subjects with SPMS.

Secondary endpoints are:

The proportion of subjects with consistent improvement in Timed 25-foot Walk (T25FW); The change in subject-reported ambulatory status as measured by the 12-Item MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12); The change in manual ability based on the ABILHAND questionnaire; The impact of TYSABRI on subject-reported quality of life using the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 Physical (MSIS-29 Physical); The change in whole brain volume between the end of study and week 24 using MRI; and The proportion of subjects experiencing progression of disability as measured by individual physical EDSS system scores.

ASCEND is ongoing and actively enrolling patients. Patients interested in learning more about the study may speak with their physician or e-mail neurologyclinicaltrials@biogenidec.com.

About TYSABRI

TYSABRI is approved in more than 65 countries. TYSABRI is approved in the United States as a monotherapy for relapsing forms of MS, generally for patients who have had an inadequate response to, or are unable to tolerate, an alternative MS therapy. In the European Union, it is approved for highly active relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) in adult patients who have failed to respond to beta interferon or have rapidly evolving, severe RRMS.

TYSABRI has advanced the treatment of MS patients with its established efficacy. Data from the Phase 3 AFFIRM trial, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that after two years, TYSABRI treatment led to a 68 percent relative reduction (p<0.001) in the annualized relapse rate when compared with placebo and reduced the relative risk of disability progression by 42-54 percent (p<0.001).

TYSABRI increases the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), an opportunistic viral infection of the brain which usually leads to death or severe disability. Infection by the JC virus (JCV) is required for the development of PML and patients who are anti-JCV antibody positive have a higher risk of developing PML. Factors that increase the risk of PML are presence of anti-JCV antibodies, prior immunosuppressant use, and longer TYSABRI treatment duration. Patients who have all three risk factors have the highest risk of developing PML. Other serious adverse events that have occurred in TYSABRI-treated patients include hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) and infections, including opportunistic and other atypical infections. Clinically significant liver injury has also been reported in the post-marketing setting. A list of adverse events can be found in the full TYSABRI product labeling for each country where it is approved.

TYSABRI is marketed and distributed by Biogen Idec Inc. and Elan Corporation, plc. For full prescribing information and more information about TYSABRI, please visit http://www.biogenidec.com or http://www.elan.com.

About Biogen Idec

Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen Idec discovers, develops and delivers to patients worldwide innovative therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, hemophilia and autoimmune disorders. Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is the world's oldest independent biotechnology company. Patients worldwide benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis therapies, and the company generates nearly $5 billion in annual revenues. For product labeling, press releases and additional information about the company, please visit http://www.biogenidec.com.

About Elan

Elan Corporation, plc is a neuroscience-focused biotechnology company committed to making a difference in the lives of patients and their families by dedicating itself to bringing innovations in science to fill significant unmet medical needs that continue to exist around the world. Elan shares trade on the New York and Irish Stock Exchanges. For additional information about Elan, please visit http://www.elan.com.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the development of TYSABRI in SPMS. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by such words as "anticipate," "belie
ve," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "will" and other words and terms of similar meaning. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including the risk that we may not fully enroll our planned clinical trials, the occurrence of adverse safety events, regulatory authorities may require additional information, further studies, or may fail to grant the desired drug approval, or we may encounter other unexpected hurdles. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in the Risk Factors section of our reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 20-F and Form 6-K and in other reports we file with the SEC. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and speak only as of the date of this press release. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.

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ASCEND Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of TYSABRI® (natalizumab) as a Treatment for Secondary-Progressive Multiple ...

01-02-2012 12:18 my life with multiple sclerosis,enjoy and live your life,and try to think positive 🙂 Male cover version

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My life with multiple sclerosis! - Video

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Feb. 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediciNova Inc, a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (Nasdaq:MNOV - News) and the Jasdaq Market of the Osaka Securities Exchange (4875), today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a pending patent application, which covers the use of ibudilast for the treatment of progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. Ibudilast (MN-166), is the company's lead drug development candidate for certain neurological conditions, including progressive multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, and drug addiction.

A patent maturing from this allowed patent application is expected to expire no earlier than early 2029 and covers a method of treating primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) or secondary progressive MS (SPMS) by administering ibudilast either alone or in combination with other drugs. The patent application is based upon clinical investigations conducted by MediciNova researchers which showed an apparent disease-modifying benefit in which brain volume loss, or brain atrophy, commonly associated with disease progression, was reduced by oral administration of ibudilast to a group of multiple sclerosis patients including some subjects with progressive multiple sclerosis, in a dose-related fashion over at least a 10-month treatment period.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is recognized as a chronic disease in which disability progresses over time. Patients suffering from progressive forms of MS tend to have a poor prognosis and have greater levels of disability. Robert J. Fox, M.D., M.S., FAAN, Medical Director of Mellen Center for MS, Cleveland Clinic, noted that, "Despite recent improvements in pharmacotherapy for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, treatment options in progressive multiple sclerosis are extremely limited in the absence of relapses. There is great need for safe, effective, and conveniently-administered therapies for progressive MS."

Obtaining long-term protection of market exclusivity for the use of ibudilast in certain neurological conditions has been a key component of MediciNova's development strategy for the MN-166 program. Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MediciNova, noted that, "We are very pleased to receive notice of this patent allowance for ibudilast in progressive MS. Moreover, we anticipate that this allowance will facilitate further development and business options around this program."

About Ibudilast

Ibudilast has been used in asthma and post-stroke disorders in Japan for around 20 years. MediciNova has demonstrated the potential utility of ibudilast in the treatment of neurological disorders at higher doses with encouraging outcomes in company-sponsored clinical trials in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuropathic pain. MediciNova's collaborative trial planning with drug addiction investigators at organizations like Columbia/NYSPI and UCLA has led to National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-to support clinical investigations of the use of ibudilast to treat both opioid and methamphetamine addiction. A Phase 2 investigator-sponsored trial of ibudilast in the treatment of chronic medication overuse headache (MOH) pain is also ongoing in Australia. MediciNova's priorities include pursuing Phase 2 proof-of-concept trials of ibudilast for the treatment of progressive MS and/or neuropathic pain through non-dilutive funding.

About MediciNova

MediciNova, Inc. is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company founded upon acquiring and developing novel, small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of diseases with unmet need with a commercial focus on the U.S. market. Through strategic alliances primarily with Japanese pharmaceutical companies, MediciNova holds rights to a diversified portfolio of clinical and preclinical product candidates, each of which MediciNova believes has a well-characterized and differentiated therapeutic profile, attractive commercial potential, and patent coverage of commercially adequate scope. MediciNova's pipeline includes six clinical-stage compounds for the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, multiple sclerosis and other neurologic conditions, asthma, interstitial cystitis, solid tumor cancers, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, preterm labor and urinary incontinence and two preclinical-stage compounds for the treatment of thrombotic disorders. MediciNova's current strategy is to focus on its two prioritized product candidates, MN-221, for the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, and ibudilast (MN-166/AV411). Each drug candidate is involved in clinical trials under U.S. and Investigator INDs. MediciNova is engaged in strategic partnering discussions to support further development of the MN-221 and ibudilast programs. Additionally, MediciNova will seek to monetize opportunistically its other pipeline candidates. For more information on MediciNova, Inc., please visit http://www.medicinova.com.

The MediciNova, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3135

Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our the potential utility of ibudilast in the treatment of progressive MS and other neurological disorders and the proposed proof of concept trial of ibudilast, including any implication that the company will have the ability to execute on its priorities. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could," "may," "will," "would," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, the risk and certainties of raising additional capital to fund clinical development of Ibidulast, risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, product development and commercialization, such as the uncertainty in results of clinical trials for product candidates, the uncertainty of whether the results of clinical trials will be predictive of results in later stages of product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval, risks regarding intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability to defend and enforce such intellectual property rights, the risk of failure of the third parties upon whom MediciNova relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates to perform as expected, the risk of increased cost and delays due to delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical trials or significant issues regarding the adequacy of clinical trial designs or the execution of clinical trials and the timing, cost and design of future clinical trials and research activities, the timing of expected filings with the regulatory authorities, MediciNova's collaborations with third parties, the availability of funds to complete prod
uct development plans and MediciNova's ability to raise sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and uncertainties described in MediciNova's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and its subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.

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MediciNova Receives a Notice of Patent Allowance for a Method of Treating Progressive Multiple Sclerosis