Sales in the Neurodegenerative Diseases therapeutic area are attributable almost exclusively to Rebif® (interferon beta-1a), a drug to treat relapsing-remitting forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). According to estimates, around 1.6 million people suffer from MS worldwide. Owing to its proven efficacy and favorable risk-benefit profile, Rebif® is a basic treatment for MS and is approved in more than 80 countries. In 2009, Rebif® recorded double-digit growth of 15%, with sales increasing to € 1,537 million. The recombinant protein was thus once again the top-selling product of the Merck Serono division and remained the leading MS treatment outside of the United States. With solid growth of 6.8%, Europe accounted for € 708 million, or nearly half of Rebif® sales. The new formulation, which offers improved injection tolerability, has meanwhile been introduced in all countries of the European Union and in Switzerland. Germany and the United Kingdom, two important markets, registered strong above-average growth of 7.9% and 13%, respectively. With sales of € 676 million, North America is our second-largest market for Rebif®. Sales grew sharply by 28% thanks to a strong increase in the United States. Discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concerning the approval of the new formulation of Rebif® continue. While sales in Latin America increased by 13%, mainly because of strong growth in Argentina, we recorded an increase of 5.8% in the region Asia, Africa, Australasia.
Electronic injection device Rebismart™ to improve patient compliance
In June, we launched Rebismart™, an electronic injection device for the self-administration of Rebif®. It is the first injection device of its kind for MS and has been specifically designed to improve ease of handling and usage. It is intended to increase compliance so that patients can fully benefit from their treatment. A Rebismart™ user trial showed broad patient acceptance. The majority of patients found the injection device “suitable” or “very suitable” for self-injection and rated the device function as “easy” or “very easy” to use. So far, Rebismart™ is available in Canada and seven EU countries.
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