ROCKLAND, Mass., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD Serono, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today that it received a refuse to file letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the New Drug Application (NDA) for Cladribine Tablets, EMD Serono's proprietary investigational oral formulation of cladribine, as a therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).
"The company will work closely with the FDA to fully understand FDA's concerns and define a path forward for a successful resubmission of this application at the earliest point in time," said Elmar Schnee, Member of the Executive Board Merck KGaA and Head of Pharmaceuticals. "We remain focused on delivering on our promise to transform the way people living with multiple sclerosis approach their therapy options."
Based on current regulations, once a NDA is submitted to the FDA, the Agency has 60 days to preliminarily review the NDA submission and assess whether the NDA is sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review. If it determines that the NDA is not sufficiently complete, the FDA issues a refuse to file letter to the applicant. EMD Serono plans to request a meeting with the FDA as soon as possible to discuss its comments on the NDA submission and to reach an understanding on what would be required for the Cladribine Tablets NDA to be accepted for review.
About Cladribine Tablets
EMD Serono's oral formulation of cladribine (Cladribine Tablets) is an investigational treatment for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Cladribine is a small molecule that may interfere with the behavior and the proliferation of certain white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, which are thought to be involved in the pathological process of MS.
The clinical development program for Cladribine Tablets includes:
About multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the central nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, disabling neurological disease in young adults. It is estimated that more than two million people have MS worldwide. While symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs and problems with strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of MS are the most common.
About EMD Serono
EMD Serono, Inc., an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leader in the US biopharmaceutical arena, integrating cutting-edge science with unparalleled patient support systems to improve people's lives. The company has strong market positions in neurodegenerative diseases, with Rebif(R) (interferon beta-1a), as well as in endocrinology, with Saizen(R) (somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection) and Serostim(R) (somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection). EMD Serono is a leader in reproductive health, with Gonal-f(R) (follitropin alfa for injection), Luveris(R) (lutropin alfa for injection) and Ovidrel(R) Prefilled Syringe (choriogonadotropin alfa injection). With a clear focus on the patient and a leadership presence in the biopharmaceutical industry, EMD Serono's US footprint continues to grow, with more than 1000 employees around the country and fully integrated commercial, clinical and research operations in the company's home state of Massachusetts.
For more information, please visit www.emdserono.com
About Merck
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of 7.6 billion euros in 2008, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approximately 33,000 employees in 60 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.
For more information, please visit www.merckserono.com or www.merck.de
CONTACT: Renee Connolly, +1-781-681-2340
Web site: http://www.emdserono.com/