Elan Corporation and Biogen Idec said today that they have asked US regulators to approve use of their multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri, which has been hounded by safety concerns, to treat the inflammatory bowel ailment Crohn's disease.
Elan and Biogen Idec said they had asked the US Food and Drug Administration to approve the medicine for patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease.
Both multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease are believed to be caused by an overactive immune system, which attacks healthy tissue.
Tysabri returned to the market in July as an MS treatment after its sales were suspended in 2005 over links to a rare, but potentially fatal, brain disease. But it has had weak sales since being reintroduced, as doctors and patients remain cautious about its safety.
Elan shares closed up 31 cent to €10.81 in Dublin.
