title: Alefacept (Biogen).
abstract: Alefacept (B-9273) is an LFA-3-Ig fusion protein CD2 antagonist under development by Biogen for the potential treatment of autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis and transplant rejection [270267]. It is in phase III trials for psoriasis [349467]. In October 2000, the company reported that Amevive was on track for regulatory filing in the second half of 2001 [385250], with a possible launch in the second half of 2002 [395628]. The company began a pivotal phase III trial in the US in December 1999, involving patients with chronic plaque psoriasis [349467]. A second phase III trial has also been initiated [362199], [374040]. Results from both trials are expected in mid-2001 [396544]. In April 2001, SalomonSmithBarney confirmed that a regulatory filing was expected in Europe and the US in the second half of 2001 and stated that alefacept would be critical to the future earnings growth of the company [407796]. In June 1999, Merrill Lynch estimated product launch in 2001 [327145], [344773]. Sales in 2001 and 2002 were anticipated to be US $20 million and US $100 million, respectively [327145].
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0989, USA. saqib@itsa.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Maibach
mesh_terms: D000077944:Alefacept; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018801:CD2 Antigens / Q000187:drug effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D018801:CD2 Antigens; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000077944:Alefacept