Sep 10, 2019
  • Novartis will present 34 abstracts from leading MS portfolio, including the highly anticipated results from the Phase III trial of investigational B-cell therapy ofatumumab (OMB157), data for Mayzent® (siponimod) and Gilenya® (fingolimod)
     
  • Results from head-to-head Phase III ASCLEPIOS studies evaluating efficacy and safety of ofatumumab, an investigational B-cell therapy that potentially can be administered subcutaneously at home by patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, will be presented for the first time[1]
     
  • Additional EXPAND data support that patients benefit from Mayzent treatment, which has a positive impact on cognition and prolonged mobility[2-4]
     
  • New data on neurofilaments and glial fibrillary acidic protein support their use as potential clinical biomarkers of disease activity, treatment response and disability progression, helping to pave the way to introduce new monitoring instruments beyond MRI[5,6]

Basel, September 10, 2019 – Novartis, a global leader in neuroscience, announced today it will present 34 abstracts at the upcoming 35th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), September 11–13, 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden. The breadth of data being presented highlights the company’s commitment to improving the lives of people living with MS, no matter where they are in their disease journey.  

“We are excited to be presenting new data at ECTRIMS from across our unique portfolio and demonstrating how we are leading the way in reimagining MS care,” said Danny Bar-Zohar, Global Head, Neuroscience Development for Novartis Pharmaceuticals. “Novartis is dedicated to advancing the science and developing transformative medicines so that we can solve the significant unmet needs that still exist in the treatment of MS.”

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About Novartis
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach more than 750 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 108,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at www.novartis.com.

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References

[1] Hauser S, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Ofatumumab Versus Teriflunomide in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: Results of the Phase 3 ASCLEPIOS I and II Trials. 35th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), September 2019.
[2]  Vermersch P, et al. Siponimod Delays the Time to Wheelchair in Patients with SPMS: Results from the EXPAND study. 35th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), September 2019.
[3]  Arnold D, et al. Relationship Between Grey Matter Atrophy, Disability and Cognition in Patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Analysis from the EXPAND Study. 35th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), September 2019.
[4]  Arnold D, et al. Effect of Siponimod on Cortical Grey Matter and Thalamic Volume in Patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis - Results of the EXPAND Study. 35th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), September 2019.
[5]  Kuhle J, et al. Elevated levels of plasma neurofilament light at months 6 and 12 after fingolimod treatment initiation predict disability worsening in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. 35th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), September 2019.
[6] Kuhle J, et al. Plasma Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein correlates with characteristics of advanced disease and treatment response in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. 35th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), September 2019.

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