Alefacept (Biogen).

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].