Novartis highlights cognition data in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS)

• Data presented again at European Academy of Neurology (EAN) congress show that baseline neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels can predict cognitive impairment and disability worsening in secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients, supporting the use of blood NfL levels as a biomarker[1]
   
• EXPAND data previously presented demonstrated Mayzent® (siponimod) has a meaningful benefit on cognitive processing speed with a 22.6% relative risk reduction versus placebo in SPMS patients with cognitive impairment[2]
   
• In addition, EXPAND data suggested early treatment is important for better cognitive outcomes[2]
   
• Novartis presented a total of 23 abstracts at EAN, emphasizing its strong multiple sclerosis (MS) portfolio with 11 abstracts
   
• Also, Novartis presented data in multiple sclerosis on its investigational ofatumumab (OMB157) for relapsing forms of MS

Basel, July 2, 2019 - Novartis today presented data on cognition in multiple sclerosis (MS) at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) annual meeting in Oslo, Norway. Norman Putzki, Global Program Head, Neuroscience at Novartis, said: "Mayzent is the only US Food and Drug Administration approved therapy for active SPMS based on evidence from a pivotal prospective Phase III clinical trial in a typical SPMS population. Mayzent can prevent cognitive decline, a fear of many MS patients, as cognitive decline can considerably affect the social and professional lives of these patients and their families. This high burden of MS inspires us to relentlessly reimagine ways to ease the impact of MS, including potential new treatments such as a novel self-injected B-cell therapy for relapsing forms of MS."

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References
1.   Kuhle J, et al. Neurofilament Light Chain Levels in Blood are Predictive of Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. ePoster Session. 2019 European Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, June 30, 2019.
2.   Benedict R, Fox R, Tomic D, et al. Siponimod Improves Cognitive Processing Speed in Patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: EXPAND Subgroup Analyses. ePoster Session. 2019 European Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, July 1, 2019.

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