Two European patients who recently developed a dangerous brain infection after taking Elan's multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri are now recovering. Elan's shares rose sharply in Dublin on the news.
A researcher involved in their care told the Reuters news agency that one patient in Scandinavia was now out of danger while a second man in Germany was in the early recovery phase.
Ralf Gold of the Ruhr University Bochum was presented an update on the cases at the annual meeting of the European Federation of Neurological Societies in Madrid.
Shares in Elan and its partner Biogen have fallen sharply since they disclosed on July 31 that two more patients had developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a brain disorder known as PML that is often fatal.
Tysabri is a key product for both companies but its future has been clouded by safety concerns. Tysabri was withdrawn in 2005 amid three cases of PML, but returned to the market in 2006 with warnings and tougher prescription guidelines.
Shares in Elan closed up 98 cent at €10.22 in Dublin this evening.
