"Active Biotech and Teva have announced they are enrolling patients on to a pivotal phase-three trial of the oral compound laquinimod.
The Bravo trial will involve approximately 1,200 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and will evaluate laquinimod against the currently-available Avonex as well as a placebo.
A second phase-three trial of the compound with 1,000 patients is also underway, Teva reported.
Dr Timothy Vollmer, principal Bravo investigator and medical director at the Rocky Mountain MS Centre in Denver, Colorado, pointed out that all currently-approved multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments are administered by injection or infusion.
He continued: "The ability to provide a safe and effective oral treatment option would be a significant advancement for the treatment of MS."