On Jul. 23, 1993, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Betaseron, the first of several biotechnology products that have had a major impact on multiple sclerosis treatment.

Five injectables – four beta interferons (Avonex, Betaseron, Extavia, and Rebif) and the copolymer polypeptide mixture glatiramer acetate – are generally viewed as first-line treatments for MS. Most experts recommend that treatment begin with one of these drugs as soon as the diagnosis of relapsing -remitting MS has been confirmed.