Abbot Laboratories has reported promising test results for a new once-monthly injectable treatment for multiple sclerosis.

According to officials with Biogen Idec and Abbott Laboratories, Phase IIb testing of daclizumab has been completed. The testing showed that daclizumab at a dose of 150 mg given by subcutaneous injection to patients with the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis every four weeks reduced annualized relapse rates by 54 percent compared to placebo. Disability progression was reduced by 57 percent.

Pushing the dose up to 300mg provided no additional benefit, with relapse rates down 50 percent and disability progression down 43 percent compared to the control group. The company said daclizumab met key secondary endpoints, including a statistically significant reduction in the cumulative number of new gadolinium-enhancing lesions.

The drug contains gadolinium, which has been linked to the rare tissue condition nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Most commonly, NSF is developed by renal patients after they have been administered a gadolinium-based contrast agent.

If you have developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis after being administered a gadolinium-based contrast agent, please contact the gadolinium attorneys of Williams Kherkher by calling 800-761-3187.