Gilenya Data at Actrims-Ectrims to Show Novartis is Redefining MS Treatment Goals for Patients
Novartis has announced that new analyses to be presented at the Joint Actrims-Ectrims meeting in Boston, USA, 10–13 September 2014, will add to the growing evidence confirming the importance of redefining treatment goals in multiple sclerosis (MS). The goal of MS treatment is to have 'no evidence of disease activity' or 'NEDA', which is currently defined as no evidence of relapses, MRI lesions and disability progression. New data to be presented will reinforce the clinical relevance of brain shrinkage (brain volume loss) and highlight the benefit of including it as a fourth key measure of MS in the definition of NEDA. In addition, other analyses will show that patients treated with Gilenya (fingolimod) were more likely to achieve NEDA based on assessment of these four key measures, including MS-related brain shrinkage, than those on placebo.
Everyone's brain shrinks as they age, but people with MS experience brain shrinkage up to three to five times faster. Brain shrinkage begins early in MS, even before symptoms occur, and is associated with a loss of physical and cognitive function.
New Gilenya analyses will show how brain shrinkage is associated with future long-term disability progression in patients with MS and that patients with relapsing MS treated with Gilenya had lower rates of brain shrinkage that importantly were sustained over time. The findings will also provide further evidence of the high efficacy of Gilenya on MS disease activity across four key measures.
"The data at Actrims-Ectrims will reinforce the role of brain shrinkage and its association with future long-term MS disability progression," said Vasant Narasimhan, Global Head of Development at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, "Novartis is committed to improving treatment outcomes for people with MS, and we believe that by including brain shrinkage as part of NEDA, clinicians can gain a more complete understanding of disease progression and treatment effects."
Related News
-
News CPHI Frankfurt 2022: Innovator Interview – DSM Biomedical
At CPHI Frankfurt we spoke to Anne-Cecile Bayne, Global Science & Innovation Lead Pharma and Medical Nutrition, and Marc Hendriks, Vice President Strategy & Business Development, on their expertise in nitrosamines and business strategy at DSM Biomedica... -
News New WHO health emergency guidelines expect full transparency from Big Pharma
The WHO are proposing a new set of pandemic guidelines to set out how future global health crises should be handled. -
News Magic mushrooms could be used to treat mental health conditions
A compound found in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, could be used to treat mental health conditions and help patients suffering with severe depression, as shown by the results of the largest study of its kind to date. -
News UK-based partnership to launch DETERMINE study into rare cancer research
UK-based CRO Quanticate is set to partner with Cancer Research UK for the launch of the DETERMINE study focused on testing a range of existing and approved drugs and therapies on rare cancers. -
News FDA approves Thermo Fisher blood tests for wheat and sesame allergies
Both tests have been approved by the US regulator for in vitro diagnostic use -
News QIAGEN launches world’s first syndromic test for monkeypox
The test can distinguish between monkeypox and other diseases that cause similar symptoms. -
News Monkeypox Update: Vaccine shortage, sewage surveillance and global testing
As concern over the monkeypox outbreak continues to rise, we take a look at major developments from the first week of August. -
News CPHI Podcast Series: The importance of novel excipients for innovative drug development
The latest episode in the CPHI Podcast Series dives into the world of novel excipients and explores their importance for innovative drug development.
Position your company at the heart of the global Pharma industry with a CPHI Online membership
-
Your products and solutions visible to thousands of visitors within the largest Pharma marketplace
-
Generate high-quality, engaged leads for your business, all year round
-
Promote your business as the industry’s thought-leader by hosting your reports, brochures and videos within your profile
-
Your company’s profile boosted at all participating CPHI events
-
An easy-to-use platform with a detailed dashboard showing your leads and performance