A recent study done by a team of researchers of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA) has been making waves in medical research wings. As per a report, Israel-based Teva has devised an oral therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), laquinimod, which has the potential of reducing the relapse rate in MS by 23% during the later stage of the disease.

Responding to the news, Dr. Douglas Jeffery, one of the study's primary investigators, asserted the significance of laquinimod in treating patients suffering from the dire consequences of MS.

For the study, the team roped in 1,106 people to analyse the effect of laquinimod or a placebo for two long years. Moreover, the research done by the team negated the occurrence of any side effects as produced by a widely used Biogen Idec (BIIB. O) multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri.

As per some experts, advent of laquinimod can give Teva an edge over other competitors in the market, though eye-to-eye rivalry between MS blockbuster Copaxone and laquinimod has been bluntly refuted by the company.

With the therapy getting positive response from a wide range of medical organizations, the company is expecting to get a nod from the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this year or early next year.