Biogen Idec's Amevive Is OK'd by Canada

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Drug maker Biogen Idec Inc. on Wednesday said that Canada health authorities approved the sale of its Amevive treatment for psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition.

The company said Amevive is the first biologic approved for psoriasis in Canada, and will be marketed for patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.

Amevive became the first approved biologic therapy for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adults when it was approved in the United States in 2003, the company said.

Psoriasis is characterized by itchy or painful drying, cracking, or blistering of the skin.

Biogen Idec shares fell 97 cents, or 1.6 percent, to $58.85 on the Nasdaq in early-afternoon trading.