New data showing the benefits of Gilenya® (fingolimod) on patient outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) will be presented at the 29th Congress of the European Committee for Research and Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Copenhagen, Denmark, adding to the growing evidence base for Gilenya in both clinical trial and real-world settings.
New four-year data from the pivotal FREEDOMS and FREEDOMS extension studies plus a separate analysis of three studies (FREEDOMS, FREEDOMS II and TRANSFORMS) will show the benefits of continued Gilenya treatment on brain volume loss compared to delayed treatment of two years. These data will reinforce what we know about the correlation between brain volume loss and disability, underlining the need for effectively addressing brain volume loss in patients with MS. Data from international and U.S. real-world databases will also confirm the favorable effect of Gilenya on reducing relapse rates for patients with MS.
“It’s very encouraging for patients that we continue to confirm the long term benefits Gilenya delivers in MS,” said Dr. Timothy Wright, Global Head Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. “These new data will emphasize the importance of reducing brain volume loss and relapse rates for patients, with increasing evidence on the effectiveness of Gilenya from both clinical and real-world settings.”
Novartis MS portfolio highlights at ECTRIMS include:
• Six poster presentations on the importance of, and impact of Gilenya on, brain volume loss.
• Ten poster presentations on the efficacy of Gilenya both in clinical trials and real-world settings.
• Nine posters, three oral presentations will reinforce the tolerability and safety profile of Gilenya.
• Eight poster presentations discuss the real-world evidence for Gilenya.
• Nine poster presentations will reinforce success of Gilenya in a real-world setting.
• Eleven posters highlight the breadth of Novartis’ pipeline.
In addition to marketed products Gilenya and Extavia® (interferon beta-1b for subcutaneous injection) the Novartis MS portfolio includes investigational compounds BAF312 (siponimod), and AIN457 (secukinumab).
About Multiple Sclerosis
While its exact cause is unknown, multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that causes the body to turn against itself by mistaking normal cells for foreign cells[1]. In MS the myelin sheath, the covering that protects nerve fibers, is damaged by the inflammation that occurs when the body’s immune cells attack the nervous system[2]. This neuro-inflammatory damage can occur in any area of the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord and cause a range of physical and mental problems including loss of muscle control and strength, vision, balance, sensation and mental function[3]. Up to 2.5 million people worldwide are affected by MS[4], most often younger people between the ages of 20 and 40[5].
About Gilenya
Gilenya is the first oral therapy approved to treat relapsing forms of MS and the first in a new class of compounds called sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators[6]-[7]. It is thought that Gilenya works in two ways against the destructive processes that drive MS disease progression by affecting not only the immune system to reduce inflammatory damage but also the CNS to promote neuroprotection and repair[7]. Gilenya is thought to act by preventing lymphocytes (the cells that cause inflammation and damage in the CNS) from leaving the lymphoid tissues, thus reducing their entry into the central nervous system and potential for damage[6]-[7]. Gilenya is also able to cross the blood-brain barrier and act on the neurodegeneration process in the brain and spinal cord[6]-[7].
Gilenya is the only oral MS treatment that provides early and long-term reduction in the rate of brain volume loss and enduring high efficacy across all key disease activity measures[8]-[13]. In clinical trials, Gilenya exhibited a well-characterized safety profile and very good tolerability profile[9],[10]. The most common side effects were headache, hepatic enzymes increased, influenza, sinusitis, diarrhea, back pain, and cough[9],[10]. To date, more than 71,000 patients have been treated with Gilenya demonstrating a positive benefit-risk profile in clinical study and real-world settings[14].
Gilenya is licensed from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation.
About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2012, the Group achieved net sales of USD 56.7 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.3 billion (USD 9.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 131,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis.
References
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001747/. Accessed September 2013.
[2] http://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-is-ms/information-about-ms/about-ms. Accessed September 2013.
[3] http://www.nationalmssociety.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/what-we-know-about-ms/symptoms/index.aspx. Accessed September 2013.
[4] Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. Atlas of MS [online]. Available at: www.atlasofms.org. Accessed September 2013.
[5] http://emsp.org/multiple-sclerosis/ms-fact-sheet. Accessed September 2013.
[6] Brinkmann V. FTY720 (fingolimod) in multiple sclerosis: therapeutic effects in the immune and the central nervous system. Br J Pharmacol 2009;158(5):1173-1182.
[7] Chun J, Hartung HP. Mechanism of Action of Oral Fingolimod (FTY720) in Multiple Sclerosis. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2010 March-April;33(2):91-101.
[8] Chin PS, Calabresi PA, Zhang Y, von Rosenstiel P, Kappos L. Early effect of fingolimod on clinical and MRI related outcomes in relapsing multiple sclerosis. Poster presented at: 28th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis; October 10-13, 2012; Lyon, France. Abstract P459.
[9] Kappos L, Radue E-W, O’Connor P, et al; for FREEDOMS Study Group. A placebo-controlled trial of oral fingolimod in relapsing multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 2010;362(5):387-401.
[10] Cohen JA, Barkhof F, Comi G, et al; for TRANSFORMS Study Group. Oral fingolimod or intramuscular interferon for relapsing multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 2010;362(5):402-415.
[11] Cohen J, et al. Fingolimod-effect on brain atrophy and clinical/MRI correlations in Three Phase 3 studies – TRANSFORMS, FREEDOMS and FREEDOMS II. Abstract presented at AAN, San Diego, March 2013.
[12] Montalban X, Barkhof F, Comi G, et al. Long-term comparison of fingolimod with interferon beta-1a: results of 4.5-year follow-up from the extension phase III TRANSFORMS study Poster presented at: 28th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis; October 10-13, 2012; Lyon, France. Abstract P517.
[13] Kappos L, Radue E-W, O’Connor P, et al. Phase 3 FREEDOMS study extension: fingolimod (FTY720) efficacy in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis receiving continuous or placebo-fingolimod switched therapy for up to 4 years. Poster presented at: 28th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis; October 10-13, 2012: Lyon, France. Poster P979.
[14] Novartis data on file.