Columns Covid-19 Another Medication, Zeposia, Joins the MS Treatment Arsenal Another Medication, Zeposia, Joins the MS Treatment Arsenal by Ed Tobias | June 5, 2020 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link By my unofficial count, disease-modifying therapy No. 19 has just become available to people with multiple sclerosis in the U.S. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zeposia (ozanimod) in late March. While pharmaceutical companies usually rush to make newly approved medications available to patients, with COVID-19 raging, the treatment’s marketer, Bristol Myers Squibb, wasn’t in a hurry this time. A company press release in March said commercialization of Zeposia would be delayed “in the best health interest of our patients, customers and employees.” The commercial launch finally happened a few days ago, on June 1. Zeposia is a daily capsule approved to treat relapsing-remitting and active secondary progressive MS, as well as clinically isolated syndrome. While it’s in the same class of medications as Gilenya (fingolimod) and Mayzent (siponimod), it’s believed to have a better safety profile than Gilenya. Unlike Gilenya, a patient isn’t required to be observed for several hours after the first dose. Going without an observation period is particularly good in our current COVID-19 world, the company’s vice president, Tina Deignan, said. This “may minimize the number of interactions RMS patients need to have with healthcare [practitioners] prior to initiating therapy during this unprecedented time of social distancing,” Deignan added.Ā That’s not to say there are no concerns about serious side effects. Treatment with Zeposia begins with a low dose that is gradually increased to a maintenance level, due to the possibility of a momentary decrease in a patient’s heart rate. Blood tests and an electrocardiogram are required before treatment. Waiting for the release of another DMT Not long after the FDA approved Zeposia, it gave final approval to Banner Life Sciences’ Bafiertam (monomethyl fumarate), a bioequivalent alternative to Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate). Bafiertam was given tentative approval in late 2018, but final approval was delayed by a patent fight between Banner Life Science and Biogen, the manufacturer of Tecfidera. Let’s hope that Banner now moves quickly to make Bafiertam the 20th DMT available to people in the U.S. with MS. More DMTs in the pipeline DMT No. 21 may be ofatumumab (OMB157), a monthly, self-injectable monoclonal antibody produced by Genmab and Novartis. Treatment with ofatumumab for relapsing-remitting MS is still under FDA review. Novartis said in a press release that a decision by the FDA is expected by September. The company added that it would be ready to make the treatment available as soon as FDA approval is received. Given the recent developments, a question comes to mind: Do we need more than 20 medications to treat MS? In nearly 40 years of having this disease, I’ve been treated with four DMTs delivered via injection, a pill, and two infusions. Each had its benefits and downsides. Like MS, which affects each of us differently, no one-size-fits-all DMT exists. As our disease courses and lifestyles change, so can our meds. So, yes, having many disease-modifying therapies available is a good thing. We’re fortunate to have so many choices. You’re invited to visit my personal website at www.themswire.com. *** Ā Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis. Print This Page About the Author Ed Tobias People say to write what you know and Ed Tobias knows about MS. He's lived with the illness since 1980, when he was 32 years old. Ed's a retired, award-winning broadcast journalist and his column combines his four decades of MS experiences with news and comments about the latest in the MS community. In addition to writing his column, Ed is one of the patient moderators on the MS News Today Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram sites. Heās also the author of āThe Multiple Sclerosis Toolbox: Hints and Tips for Living with M.S.ā Ed and his wife split their time between the Washington, D.C. suburbs and Floridaās Gulf Coast, trying to follow the sun. Tags Banner Life Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), Novartis, Zeposia Comments Reni Yousif Another ineffective drug that comes with a plethora of serious side effects and makes the company insane amounts of profit as you become more and more disabled Reply Ed Tobias Hello Reni, May I ask on what you base your opinion that this medication is ineffective? Ed Reply Bill I would also like to see the research you based your opinion on. Reply Leave a comment Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published. Your Name Your Email Your Comment Post Comment
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