FDA Approves Two Bayer Products to Help MS Patients Stay on Top of Interferon Injections

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a supplemental biologics license application for two Bayer products that help multiple sclerosis patients keep track of their injections of Betaseron (interferon beta-1b).

The products are the myBETAapp and the Betaconnect Navigator software. A biologics license application is a request for permission to market a biologic product.

Patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) can use the electronic Betaconnect auto-injector to administer Betaseron, a prescription medicine that reduces MS relapses.

Betaconnect Navigator allows patients to use Bluetooth technology to connect their auto-injector to a myBETAapp on their cellphone or laptop. That connection allows patients to share their injection information with their BETA Nurse and healthcare team. A BETA Nurse is a person trained in MS support whom Betaseron makes available 24/7 by phone to patients who have questions.

Having injection information on the cloud lets healthcare providers see patients’ injection history, and may help them develop better support strategies for those taking Betaseron.

“Since introducing the first FDA-approved treatment option for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients more than two decades ago, we’ve listened closely to the community to understand their needs and how we can support them,” Mark Rametta, Bayer’s medical director of neurology, said in a press release.

“The myBETAapp and Betaconnect Navigator add to the services that we’ve developed based on patient feedback, including 24/7 access to nurse support and the first and only electronic autoinjector for patients taking Betaseron,” Rametta added.

The Betaconnect auto-injector, myBETAapp and the Betaconnect Navigator were developed by Denmark-based Medicom Innovation Partner.

Bayer expects the myBETAapp to be available for free download on app stores in mid-July. Patients who are enrolled in Betaplus – Bayer’s patient support program – can speak directly to a Beta Nurse.

“The myBETAapp and Betaconnect Navigator work cohesively together to support communication and connection between people living with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and their Beta Nurse and health care team,” said Daniel Kantor, president emeritus of the Florida Society of Neurology.

Patients using other injection methods to take Betaseron can manually enter injection information into the myBETAapp to share with their healthcare team.

Patients who should not take Betaseron include those allergic to interferon beta-1b, other interferon betas, human albumin or mannitol.