April 19, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD AAN 2024: Long-term data support early Kesimpta start in relapsing MS For people recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), first-line treatment with Kesimpta (ofatumumab) was associated with a lower risk of disability progression over starting it after about 2.5 years of using Aubagio (teriflunomide). Thatās according to six years of data spanning the ASCLEPIOS I (NCT02792218) and…
June 7, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Researchers analyze switching to Kesimpta from oral therapies People with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) who experienced disease activity while on oral therapies had less disease activity after switching to Kesimpta (ofatumumab), according to an analysis of data from the Phase 3 ARTIOS clinical trial. The patients previously were on Gilenya (fingolimod), or fumarate-based therapies such…
April 28, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AAN 2023: MS disability not worse for most on Kesimpta over 5 years More than 80% of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) given Kesimpta (ofatumumab) continuously for up to five years in a clinical trial did not have any documented worsening of disability over the duration of the treatment. That’s according to new data from the ongoing…
April 4, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Sensoready Pen easier to use for MS therapy than other devices: Survey Both people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their nurses prefer the Sensoready Pen for administering Kesimpta (ofatumumab) ā an approved MS treatment that’s injected subcutaneously, or under the skin ā mostly because it’s easier to use than other available devices, a survey study found. With this pen āpatients…
March 9, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Ocrevus and early start with aggressive treatment favored in US Neurologists in the U.S. are generally favoring more aggressive early treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), according to an analysis by market research company Spherix Global Insights. With over a dozen therapies available in the U.S. to treat relapsing forms of MS, patients and providers have options to…
October 25, 2022 News by Patricia Valerio, PhD IV Ofatumumab Reduces Relapses in MS, But Not Better Than Kesimpta An intravenous (into-the-vein) formulation of ofatumumab ā a disease-modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) sold under the brand name Kesimpta ā resulted in a 63% reduction in relapse rates among MS patients, with about 60% remaining relapse-free over the first year of treatment, a recent study in…
October 3, 2022 Columns by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: ODRS Test, Kesimpta, Coping Strategies, Dual Tasking Study Supports MS Disability Test Score as Outcome Measure in Trials Adding two other disability measurements to the commonly used Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is a good idea, not only for trials but also in everyday patient assessments as well. Measuring our level of disability using only…
September 28, 2022 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Kesimpta More Effective, Costs Less Than Most DMTs for RRMS: Analysis Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is more cost-effective for treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) than most other disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) approved in Canada, according to a new analysis. The analysis indicated that Kesimpta is generally more effective and associated with fewer costs than the majority of MS treatments, with the…
July 15, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Rituximab Outperforms Tecfidera at Preventing Relapses in Phase 3 Trial Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with rituximab were more than five times less likely to experience a relapse compared with patients given Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate), according to data fromĀ a Phase 3 clinical trial. Patients on the experimental therapy also were 32% more likely to have no evidence…
July 13, 2022 News by Steve Bryson, PhD For MS Patients in Japan, Kesimpta May Be Best at Preventing Relapses Kesimpta (ofatumumab) may be more effective at reducing relapse rates than other disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in Japanese adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a review of clinical trial data. Although the differences were not statistically significant, the study provided comparative evidence that may help…
June 28, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS No Disease Activity After 4 Years for Nearly 80% of Patients on Kesimpta People with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) who were continuously on Kesimpta (ofatumumab) for up to four years were about four times more likely to have no evidence of disease activity than those initially on Aubagio (teriflunomide), according to updated data from the ASCLEPIOS and ALITHIOS…
May 31, 2022 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Mayzent and Kesimpta Gaining Ground as MS Treatments in Canada Novartisā Mayzent (siponimod) and Kesimpta (ofatumumab) are gaining ground among multiple sclerosisĀ (MS) therapies in Canada, according to the latest Spherix Global Insightsā report. āFollowing an eventful 2021 that included the launch of two new brands ā Novartisā Kesimpta and BMS’ Zeposia ā and generic versions of Biogenās…
April 27, 2022 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Kesimpta Now Reimbursable for Patients in 2 Canadian Provinces Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is now accessible to eligible Canadians with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) through public drug plans in Ontario and Quebec. The treatment has been included as an exceptional medication under both the Ontario Drug Benefit Exceptional Access Program and the RĆ©gie de lāassurance maladie du QuĆ©bec. This…
April 25, 2022 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD In Relapsing MS, NfL Levels Help in Disease Progression Prediction Serum levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) ā proteins found in nerve cell projections ā can help in the prediction of disease progression among people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to an analysis of data from two large Phase 3 trials. The researchers said that NfL…
April 6, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS #AAN2022 ā Data from Multiple Trials Show Kesimpta’s Safety, Efficacy Treatment with Kesimpta (ofatumumab) for more than three years revealed no new or unexpected safety findings, and continued to slow disability progression and prevent the development of new brain lesions in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new clinical trial data. Information from another trial also…
December 17, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Study: Anti-CD20 Therapies, Gilenya Lower Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines Certain treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) ā specifically, anti-CD20 antibody therapies and Gilenya (fingolimod) ā are likely to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines for COVID-19, according to a new study. “Highlighting groups who have mounted an inadequate vaccine response has already been helpful in guiding who should receive…
December 15, 2021 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Ublituximab as Relapsing MS Therapy Under FDA Review The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review TG Therapeuticsā application seeking the approval of ublituximab as a treatment for people with relapsing forms ofĀ multiple sclerosis. An FDAās decision is expected on or before Sept. 28. The agency is not currently planning to hold an…
December 8, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Report: Tecfidera, Aubagio Preferred RRMS Treatments in Canada Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) and Aubagio (teriflunomide) are the preferred disease-modifying treatments for managing relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Canada, according to a report from Spherix Global Insights. The report was part of SpherixāsĀ RealTime Dynamix: Multiple Sclerosis (Canada) service, which collects data on market trends of MS…
November 9, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Ocrevus Still Top Therapy for Progressive MS Forms, Report Finds Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) continues to be the most commonly prescribed therapy for progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including primary progressive MS (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS), according to an analysis from the market intelligence firm Spherix Global Insights. However, other therapies are “gaining traction” among…
October 25, 2021 Columns by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: AHSCT, Ocrevus, CD20 T-cells, Spasticity App National MS Society Supports Stem Cell Transplant for Select, Aggressive RRMS Bravo! This statement is welcome after the recommendation of National Multiple Sclerosis Society advisers that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant, or AHSCT, could be useful for people younger than 50 and recently diagnosed with MS. Now, how long…
October 19, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS #ECTRIMS2021 ā CD20-positive T-cells May Be Early Drivers of MS Editorās note: TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today team is providing in-depth coverage of the virtual 37th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), Oct. 13ā15. GoĀ here to see the latest stories from the conference. Certain types of…
October 7, 2021 News by Mary Chapman New PBS Listings in Australia Will Lower Cost of Kesimpta for Patients People in Australia with multiple sclerosis (MS) and certain other medical conditions will have access to new and expanded medications ā including Kesimpta ā now listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Having these medications on the PBS will lower treatment costs for MS patients and their…
September 27, 2021 Columns by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Bladder Treatment, Anti-CD20 DMTs, Cancer and MS, Seasons and MS Oral Fesoterodine Fumarate Can Ease Bladder Problems in MS This is a biggie for me since bladder problems have affected my quality of life for years. I recently switched my bladder medication hoping it would be a change for the better. The jury is still out. So, I’ll have…
September 21, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Anti-CD20 Therapies Show Similar Safety, Efficacy in RRMS Anti-CD20 antibody therapies that target B-cells are highly effective for reducing the risk of relapses in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a new analysis confirms. The analysis did not find any significant differences in efficacy or safety among the anti-CD20 therapies currently approved to treat RRMS, though…
September 17, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Patients on Anti-CD20 Therapies Urged to Get COVID-19 Vaccine While people with multiple sclerosis (MS) taking anti-CD20 therapies do not mount a robust antibody response after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, the vaccines do strongly activate other parts of the immune system that are likely to be helpful in fighting the virus, a new study shows. “The message…
July 14, 2021 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Kesimpta for RRMS Now Available in Scotland at Low or No Cost Adults in Scotland with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) will now have access at low or no cost to Kesimpta (ofatumumab), the first self-administered, at-home B-cell-targeting therapy for people with the neurodegenerative disease. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) recommended that the Novartis therapy be available through the…
June 23, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Long-term Kesimpta Use Not Seen in Trial to Depress Antibody Levels Long-term use ofĀ Kesimpta (ofatumumab) among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) did not substantially lower their antibody levels, allowing them to retain an ability to fight infections, new data from a Phase 3 clinical trial indicate. “These long-term results continue to support Kesimpta as a high-efficacy, first-choice treatment with…
April 21, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD #AANAM ā Kesimpta, Added to NHS in UK, Prevents Worsening in New Patients Editorās note: TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis News TodayĀ team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17ā22. GoĀ hereĀ to read the latest stories from the conference. Note: This story was updated April 21, 2021, to clarify that Kesimpta will be available in the next three months…
April 19, 2021 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Kesimpta Approved in UK as At-home Relapsing MS Therapy Kesimpta (ofatumumab) has been approved in the U.K. as the first self-administered, at-home, B-cell-targeting therapy for people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and active disease. More specifically, the approval includes patients with eitherĀ clinically isolated syndrome,Ā relapsing-remitting MSĀ (RRMS), or active secondary progressive MSĀ (SPMS), who have…
April 7, 2021 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Tecfidera, Gilenya and Ocrevus Losing Favor as Switch Therapies in US, Spherix Finds Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate), Gilenya (fingolimod), and Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) are losing ground to more recent therapies among U.S. multiple sclerosisĀ (MS) patients switching treatment, according to the latestĀ Spherix Global Insightsā report. The launch of MS generics, bioequivalents, and new brands in the U.S. market over the past year has increased…