BG 12: BG 00012, BG 12/Oral Fumarate, FAG-201, second-generation fumarate derivative--Fumapharm/Biogen Idec.

Fumapharm AG has developed a second-generation fumarate (fumaric acid) derivative, BG 12 [BG 00012, FAG-201, BG 12/Oral Fumarate], for the oral treatment of psoriasis. Biogen Idec is currently evaluating the product in clinical trials as an oral treatment for multiple sclerosis (phase II) and psoriasis (phase III) trials.BG 12 has an immunomodulatory mechanism of action. It seems that this product has been developed to reduce the adverse effects associated with a first-generation product containing fumaric acid esters (mixed dimethylfumarate and monoethylfumarate salts), Fumaderm. Fumaderm was approved in Germany in August 1994 and is currently the leading oral systemic therapy for moderate-to-severe psoriasis in Germany. One of the problems associated with Fumaderm capsules has been its gastrointestinal adverse effects (including diarrhoea and nausea). In September 2003, Biogen (now Biogen Idec) licensed exclusive worldwide rights (excluding Germany) from Fumapharm to develop and market BG 12. Biogen plans to collaborate with Fumapharm to accelerate phase III development for psoriasis and the registration programme worldwide. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Development plans for BG 12 include other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, such as multiple sclerosis. In November 2003, Biogen and IDEC Pharmaceuticals merged to form Biogen Idec. Fumapharm completed phase II trials of this second-generation fumarate derivative for psoriasis prior to licensing of the product to Biogen, also with positive results.