New data for Novartis’ Gilenya shows further benefits to MS patients

Novartis has released new data showing that its drug Gilenya benefited patients by improving all four key measures of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Gilenya (fingolimod) is the first once-daily oral therapy approved to treat people with relapsing multiple sclerosis. The drug was found to improve these four key measures are: brain volume loss, MRI lesion activity, relapse rates and disability progression.

New findings from the clinical trial, TRANSFORMS, showed that a greater proportion of patients were also disease free after one year on Gilenya treatment, compared to interferon. For patients on interferon during the first year, the proportion who were disease free during the second year increased after they were switched from interferon to Gilenya treatment. These findings suggest that switching from interferon to Gilenya is beneficial for patients with RMS to achieve and maintain long-term disease-free status.

"There is currently no cure for MS, and therefore it is imperative that treatments work positively to limit symptoms, disease activity and ultimately disease progression, thus reducing the burden for patients. These new analyses are very encouraging in that they not only support the role of Gilenya as having an anti-inflammatory effect but also highlight how Gilenya can improve the key measures of this debilitating disease."

Dr. Timothy Wright, Global Head Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

There are approximately 2.5 million people in the world who are affected by MS, with an average of two hundred people diagnosed each week.

This new data will be presented at the 23rd meeting of the European Neurological Society (ENS), which is to be held in Barcelona from the 8th – 11th June.