Open-label, Multi-center Phase III Extension of the Double-blind, Placebo-controlled BENEFIT Study (no. 92012/304747) to Obtain Long-term Follow-up Data of Patients With Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Patients With a First Demyelinating Event Suggestive of MS Treated With 8 MIU (250 µg) Interferon Beta-1b (Betaferon® / Betaseron®) Given Subcutaneously Every Other Day for at Least 36 Months.
Open-label, Multi-center Phase III Extension of the Double-blind, Placebo-controlled BENEFIT Study (no. 92012/304747) to Obtain Long-term Follow-up Data of Patients With Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Patients With a First Demyelinating Event Suggestive of MS Treated With 8 MIU (250 µg) Interferon Beta-1b (Betaferon® / Betaseron®) Given Subcutaneously Every Other Day for at Least 36 Months.
This study will primarily compare the long-term effects of an early and continued treatment with Betaferon/Betaseron (patients who were treated with active medication during the double-blind BENEFIT study) to treatment initiated either after Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis (CDMS) has been diagnosed or after two years (those patients who were treated with placebo during the double-blind BENEFIT study).
Analyses are based on the integrated data of the initial BENEFIT study and this follow-up study.
The study has previously been posted by Schering AG, Germany. Schering AG, Germany has been renamed to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc..
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the sponsor of the trial.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: