Zenapax® (daclizumab)

• Parent companies: Biogen Idec, Inc and PDL BioPharma.


• Administered via intravenous infusion every four weeks; also studied in subcutaneous injections.


• This drug is used to prevent renal (kidney) transplant rejection. It is a genetically engineered antibody against interleukin-2, a substance necessary for the growth of T cells, limiting their growth and reducing inflammation.


• A study in RRMS and SPMS patients (who continued to experience worsening disease activity with interferon-beta therapy) showed the drug was well tolerated; reported to improve or stabilize 60 percent of patients; and reduced the number of active lesions in both RRMS and SPMS patients.


• Ongoing CHOICE Phase II trial adds Zenapax (given subcutaneously biweekly) to interferon treatment in 30 patients with active MS; interim data show that the treated group experienced a significant reduction in new or enlarged enhancing lesions.