Avonex®: Safety, Blood Levels and Effects

The primary objective was to determine the tolerability of a new inhaled formulation of interferon beta-1a when given as a single dose, when given once per week for 4 weeks, and compared with standard intramuscular (IM) AVONEX® when given as a single dose. The additional objectives were: To determine the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of a new inhaled formulation of interferon beta-1a, using an anti-viral cytopathic effect (CPE) assay for human interferon-beta, when given as a single dose, when given once per week for 4 weeks, and compared with standard IM AVONEX® when given as a single dose. To determine the pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of a new inhaled formulation of interferon beta-1a, as measured by serum neopterin and 2-microglobulin, when given as a single dose, when given once per week for 4 weeks, and compared with standard IM AVONEX® when given as a single dose.