multiple sclerosis

It seems that months of merger talks between French pharma Sanofi-Aventis and U.S. biotech Genzyme have entered the home stretch. This week, Sanofi is expected to offer $74 a share for Genzyme, with an option included potentially worth $5 to $6 a share.

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis says its multiple sclerosis drug teriflunomide significantly cut relapses in patients who took the once-daily oral treatment.

There is still no cure for the chronic disease multiple sclerosis, but separate late-stage studies on two different experimental drugs show them both to be effective at slowing it down. If approved by the FDA, the pills will be the first oral treatments available for the disease.

Novartis AG (NVS) announced Wednesday that a two-year Phase III study involving more than 4,000 patients worldwide shows that a new drug significantly reduces relapses and disability progression of multiple sclerosis. The chronic, irreversible disease attacks the central nervous system and is...