Teva's ($TEVA) $4-billion-a-year multiple sclerosis treatment Copaxone is slated to lose patent protection next year, and the Israeli drugmaker is struggling to move the needle on its planned replacement, enduring another rejection from European reviewers.

The continent's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) declined to recommend Teva's laquinimod for approval, confirming a negative opinion handed down in January. The drug, which Teva hopes to market as Nerventra, is an oral treatment for relapsing-remitting MS, developed alongside partner Active Biotech.

Despite the second rejection, Teva said it has no plans to give up on the treatment, plotting to review CHMP's feedback and retool for another application.

Labels: Laquinimod (Nerventra)