European regulators have recommended approval of Merck's multiple sclerosis drug Rebif for additional uses.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion for Rebif to be used for patients who have shown an early sign of multiple sclerosis and are at high risk of developing the disease.

Recommendations for marketing approval by the London-based CHMP are normally endorsed by the European Commission within a couple of months.

Multiple sclerosis, which affects 2.5 million people worldwide, is a chronic and progressive disease that attacks the central nervous system.

Reuters