Breadth of data at ECTRIMS underpins Novartis' relentless commitment to decoding the science of multiple sclerosis (MS) and decreasing the patient burden - Seite 2

"At Novartis, we are working to ensure there is an effective treatment for every MS patient, regardless of their age or level of disability progression," said Danny Bar-Zohar, Global Head, Neuroscience Development for Novartis. "We are committed to transform the lives of people living with MS and reimagining care by relentlessly confronting the disease from all angles."

Highlights of the Novartis data include:

• New research shows neurofilaments are good predictors of long-term clinical outcomes in MS: One study showed neurofilaments were effective in predicting long-term disability progression in patients with RRMS.[1] In another, blood neurofilament light chain predicted brain atrophy in patients with PPMS and SPMS in placebo-controlled Phase III trials of fingolimod (INFORMS) and siponimod (EXPAND) respectively.[2] A third study investigated the predictive value of neurofilaments for disease activity and drug response in pediatric MS patients, and the data suggest that they may be useful biomarkers in this population.[3]
   
• Long-term safety of siponimod in SPMS: New data showed that longer-term follow up treatment (up to six years) with siponimod 2 mg did not reveal any increase in incidence rates of adverse events or new safety findings. These results demonstrated siponimod could be a safe and effective treatment option for typical SPMS patients.[4]
   
• Baseline characteristics of patients in the fully enrolled ASCLEPIOS program with ofatumumab: Studies provide additional data on patients treated with ofatumumab, the first fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody with a monthly self-administered subcutaneous dosing regimen tailored for MS. Two parallel Phase III trials are currently being conducted to evaluate its efficacy and safety versus teriflunomide in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).

About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects approximately 2.3 million people worldwide. MS is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord through inflammation and tissue loss.

The evolution of MS results in an increasing loss of both physical (e.g. walking) and cognitive (e.g. memory) function. In adults, there are three types of MS: relapsing-remitting MS, secondary progressive MS and primary progressive MS. Approximately 85 percent of people with MS have relapsing-remitting MS, where the immune system attacks healthy tissue. In children, RRMS accounts for nearly all cases (approximately 98 percent).