eva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech announced enrollment of the first patient in the CONCERTO study - the third Phase III placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of once-daily oral laquinimod in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The primary outcome measure of CONCERTO will be confirmed disability progression as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

"Previous Phase III studies in more than 2,400 people with RRMS suggest a unique profile of laquinimod, directly affecting the neurodegenerative processes that lead to disability progression, the main concern in the treatment of RRMS," said CONCERTO principal investigator, Dr. Timothy Vollmer, Professor of Neurology, University of Colorado Denver, Medical Director of the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center, and Co-Director of the RMMSC at Anschutz. "We are currently enrolling patients in this third pivotal study to further examine the clinical benefits of laquinimod on disability progression, the primary endpoint of the CONCERTO trial, and brain atrophy, at both the previously studied 0.6 mg dose, and now a higher 1.2 mg dose."

The multinational, randomized, double blind placebo-controlled study will aim to enroll approximately 1,800 patients at more than 300 sites globally (http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01707992). Along with the primary endpoint of time to confirmed disability progression, the study will also examine the impact of laquinimod on endpoints such as percent change in brain volume and other clinical and MRI markers of disease activity.

"For nearly 30 years, Teva has been focused on improving the lives of people with multiple sclerosis by delivering innovative treatment options that address this complex disease," said Dr. Michael Hayden, President of Global R&D and Chief Scientific Officer at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. "The CONCERTO study demonstrates our commitment to collaborating with MS communities worldwide to further develop laquinimod and address unmet patient needs."

ABOUT LAQUINIMOD

Laquinimod is an oral, once-daily CNS-active immunomodulator with a novel mechanism of action being developed for the treatment of MS. In animal models laquinimod crosses the blood brain barrier to potentially have a direct effect on resident CNS inflammation and neurodegeneration. The global Phase III clinical development program evaluating oral laquinimod in MS includes two pivotal studies, ALLEGRO and BRAVO.

In addition to the MS clinical studies, laquinimod is currently in clinical development for Crohn's disease and Lupus.

ABOUT CONCERTO

CONCERTO is a multinational, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study followed by an active treatment phase, to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of two doses of oral administration of laquinimod 0.6 mg/day or 1.2 mg/day in subjects with RRMS. This third Phase III laquinimod study will evaluate laquinimod in approximately 1,800 patients for up to 24 months, after which patients will continue to an active treatment period with laquinimod for additional 24 months. The primary outcome measure will be time to confirmed disability progression as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The study will also examine the impact of laquinimod on endpoints such as percent change in brain volume, as well as other clinical and MRI markers of disease activity.

ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

MS is the leading cause of neurological disability in young adults. It is estimated that more than 400,000 people in the United States are affected by the disease and that two million people may be affected worldwide. Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system in which inflammation and axonal damage and loss result in the development of progressive disability.

ABOUT TEVA

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is a leading global pharmaceutical company, committed to increasing access to high-quality healthcare by developing, producing and marketing affordable generic drugs as well as innovative and specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Headquartered in Israel, Teva is the world's leading generic drug maker, with a global product portfolio of more than 1,000 molecules and a direct presence in about 60 countries. Teva's branded businesses focus on CNS, oncology, pain, respiratory and women's health therapeutic areas as well as biologics. Teva currently employs approximately 46,000 people around the world and reached $20.3 billion in net revenues in 2012.

ABOUT ACTIVE BIOTECH

Active Biotech AB is a biotechnology company with focus on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and cancer. Projects in pivotal phase are laquinimod, an orally administered small molecule with unique immunomodulatory properties for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, TASQ for prostate cancer and ANYARA primarily for the treatment of renal cell cancer. In addition, laquinimod is in Phase II development for Crohn's and Lupus. The company also has one additional project in clinical development, the orally administered compound 57-57 for Systemic Sclerosis. Please visit www.activebiotech.com for more information.