New Features and Design Further Strengthen MSActiveSource.com
Biogen, Inc. (NASDAQ/BGEN) announced today the launch a newly enhanced MSActiveSource.com (http://www.msactivesource.com), the premier destination on the Internet for information on multiple sclerosis (MS). The site serves nearly half a million Americans whose lives are touched by the disease.
“Biogen is committed to keeping MSActiveSource.com up-to-date with the most current information on MS, its treatment, and research results,” said Rob Perez, Biogen’s Vice President, CNS Business Unit. “MSActiveSource.com is now an even more valuable resource for those seeking a better understanding of MS.”
Based on input from people with MS and their caregivers, MSActiveSource.com has been enhanced to meet evolving user needs. The site offers simple, customizable content from the most comprehensive cache of information about the disease available on the Internet.
The features on the site have been reorganized and enhanced even beyond their previous utility. The one-of-a-kind MS Learning System™ provides current, rich, scientific information on the disease. The “Living with MS” section contains valuable tips and articles written both by healthcare professionals and people with MS for their peers. MSActiveSource.com is updated daily with news and information on MS research, alternative therapies, upcoming events, and offers direct links to other MS sites.
Members of MSActiveSource.com have unlimited access to a growing interactive community, including message boards and a mentor program that allows members to communicate one-on-one with another person with MS. Members can organize these and other helpful tools easily on their personalized homepages. Membership takes just a few minutes to complete, and opens the door for members to benefit further from Biogen’s commitment to MS treatment.
About AVONEX® (Interferon-beta 1a)
AVONEX is the leading treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis worldwide, with more than 121,000 patients on therapy. It was launched in the U.S. in 1996 and later in Europe for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to slow the progression of disability and reduce relapses. AVONEX is marketed internationally in more than 65 countries.
The most common side effects associated with AVONEX treatment are flu-like symptoms, muscle ache, fever, and chills. Other common side effects seen, but not statistically different between AVONEX and control groups, were headache, pain and asthenia (weakness). These side effects usually go away within a day after the injection and occur less often as the treatment continues.
AVONEX should be used with caution in people with depression and people with seizure disorders. AVONEX should not be used by pregnant women. People with cardiac disease should be closely monitored. Routine periodic blood chemistry and hematology tests are recommended during treatment with AVONEX. Please see complete prescribing information available at www.Avonex.com.
About Biogen
Biogen, Inc., winner of the U.S. National Medal of Technology, is a biopharmaceutical company principally engaged in discovering and developing drugs for human healthcare through genetic engineering. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, the Company’s revenues are generated from U.S. and worldwide sales of AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) for treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, and from the worldwide sales by licensees of a number of products, including alpha interferon and hepatitis B vaccines and diagnostic products. Biogen’s research and development activities are focused on novel products to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, cancer, fibrosis and congestive heart failure. The Company maintains active clinical research programs in protein therapeutics, small molecules, genomics and gene therapy. For copies of press releases and additional information about the Company, please consult Biogen’s Homepage on the World Wide Web at http://www.biogen.com.
Media Contact:
Tim Hunt
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Biogen, Inc.
(617) 679-4996
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Biogen, Inc.
Tel: (617) 679-2521