Landmark Phase III trial shows fingolimod significantly reduces relapses in children and adolescents with MS

PARADIGMS is a first of its kind study in pediatric MS. Other current treatments have not been evaluated in head to head trials specifically designed for children and adolescents.

"Living with MS is a tremendous challenge at any age. However, its appearance in children and adolescents, when these young individuals should be developing and focusing on their future, can be devastating," said Vas Narasimhan, Global Head of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. "With no specifically approved treatment options based on a thorough study such as PARADIGMS, the risk of long-term disease progression in these patients is much greater. The outcome of this study is very exciting news for the MS patient community, all of whom benefit from potential advances in high-quality, evidence-based care such as this. I would like to thank the young people with MS and their families, physicians and nurses who participated and made this landmark study possible."

Results of the Phase III PARADIGMS study will be presented at the 7th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting, taking place 25-28 October 2017, in Paris, France.

Commonly diagnosed during adolescence, pediatric MS is associated with relapses that are more frequent and often more severe than those seen in adults with MS. Relapses negatively affect mobility, balance and cognitive function, and patients with pediatric MS are more likely to accumulate physical disability at an earlier age than those diagnosed as adults. There is currently no treatment indicated for children and adolescents living with MS, based on randomized, controlled, clinical study data.

Fingolimod is not currently approved for the treatment of pediatric MS. Novartis plans to complete a thorough analysis of these important data to speak to health authorities to agree on next steps for submission.