Natalizumab. Elan/Biogen.

Natalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody to alpha 4 beta 1 integrin (VLA-4) currently under development by Elan and Biogen for the treatment of Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis. Phase II trials in both indications have been completed, and by December 2002 phase III trials in Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis had been initiated.

BX-471 Berlex.

Berlex and its parent company, Schering AG, are developing BX-471 (also known as ZK-811752), the lead in a series of non-peptide chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) antagonists, for the potential treatment of autoimmune diseases, in particular multiple sclerosis (MS) [291682], [376290], [411184]. In March 2000, BX-471 was undergoing phase I trials for the potential treatment of autoimmune diseases [362022]; phase I trials in MS were ongoing in March 2002 [441989], [443941]. Positive results from these trials have been reported and Berlex was planning phase II trials in MS patients as of mid-March 2002 [444906].

Beneficial effect of modified peptide inhibitor of alpha4 integrins on experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats.

An important event in the pathogenesis of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS) is the recruitment of lymphocytes and inflammatory macrophages to the central nervous system (CNS). Recruitment requires adhesive interactions between the leukocytes and the microvascular endothelium, perivascular cells, and astrocytes in the CNS parenchyma. Previous studies using an animal model of MS, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), have shown the involvement of the alpha4 integrin VLA-4 (beta4beta1).