Novartis To Present New Data On Multiple Sclerosis Treatment At AAN

RELATED NEWS

Trade NVS now with

3/13/2013 2:34 AM ET

Novartis AG (NVS: Quote) said it will present new data on Multiple Sclerosis or MS treatment at the 65th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology or AAN.

It will highlight growing clinical trial and real-world experience with Gilenya (fingolimod), the first once-daily oral therapy approved to treat people with relapsing MS or RMS. Updates on studies of Gilenya in people with primary-progressive MS or PPMS and the investigational agent BAF312 (siponimod) in people with secondary-progressive MS or SPMS will also be communicated, the company said.

"These results, as well as updates on our investigational MS compound BAF312 (siponimod) show that we are making real progress in our commitment to address unmet medical need in MS and to provide a treatment at every stage of the disease," said Timothy Wright, Global Head Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG.

The company sated that data from three large Phase III studies will highlight the efficacy of Gilenya in reducing the rate of brain volume loss, the best characterized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) predictor of long-term disability. There will also be a presentation on the INFORMS study, which is evaluating Gilenya in patients with PPMS]. This form of MS affects about 10% of people with MS and follows a steady course of worsening neurologic function for which there are no approved disease modifying treatments.

The company stated that additional data will showcase Gilenya's high efficacy and well characterized and manageable safety profile. Latest information shows that the growing real-world and clinical trial experience base for Gilenya now encompasses more than 50,000 patients and 60,000 patient years of exposure worldwide.

New details will be provided on the design of a Phase III study evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of BAF312 (siponimod) in patients with SPMS, which is a sub-type of MS where there are limited treatment options. The vast majority (85%) of people with relapsing-remitting MS will transition to SPMS; 50% within 10 years of disease onset and 90% within 25 years, the company said.

Additionally, the Novartis exhibit at the congress will showcase an expanded Gilenya online and social media platform including the new Gilenya Facebook and GilenyaGo Twitter accounts, YouTube channel, and Gilenya.com mobile site.

To receive FREE breaking news email alerts for Novartis AG and others in your portfolio

by RTT Staff Writer

For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News

Quick Facts

22 Articles

Editors Pick

Fed Concerns Contribute To Lackluster Session On Wall Street - U.S. Commentary

There was a mixed performance on Wall Street on Friday. Shares suffered an early decline, as investors continued to express worries about the Federal Reserve. A recovery through the rest of the day allowed the Dow to edge into positive territory by the close. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 posted fractional losses.

Stocks Come Under Pressure Amid Worries About The Fed - U.S. Commentary

Stocks have shown a notable move to the downside in early trading on Friday amid lingering concerns about the outlook for the Federal Reserve's asset purchase program. The major averages have slid firmly into negative territory, adding to the modest losses posted in the previous session. The major averages are currently posting notable losses, near their lows for the young session.

U.S. Durable Goods Orders Rise 3.3% In April, More Than Expected

After reporting a sharp drop in new orders for manufactured durable goods in the previous month, the Commerce Department released a report on Friday showing that durable goods orders rebounded by more than anticipated in the month of April. The report said durable goods orders surged up by 3.3 percent in April after tumbling by a revised 5.9 percent in March.