Novartis

High-efficacy DMTs Boost Mid-term Prognosis for Relapsing MS: Study

People with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with Tysabri (natalizumab) or Gilenya (fingolimod) are less likely to have disease activity than those on low-efficacy MS medications, according to a small study conducted in Japan. Results also showed that patients receiving the high-efficacy therapies had less brain shrinkage,…

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 lā€™assurance maladie du QuĆ©bec. This…

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 FDAā€™s decision is expected on or before Sept. 28. The agency is not currently planning to hold an…

Gilenya Started Earlier in RRMS Disease Course in Recent Years

People with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) have switched to treatment with Gilenya (fingolimod) at an earlier stage in their disease in recent years, compared to individuals who switched to the treatment around the time it became available, a new study indicates. The findings suggest “an increased experience in…

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…

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…

Kesimpta Approved in EU as At-home Injectable Therapy for Relapsing MS

The European Commission has approvedĀ Novartisā€™ Kesimpta (ofatumumab) as the first self-administered, at-home B-cell-targeting therapy for adults with relapsing forms ofĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) and active disease. Active disease in these forms, which include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), and active secondary progressive MS (SPMS),…

Health Canada OKs Self-administered Kesimpta for Adults With Active RRMS

Health Canada has approvedĀ Kesimpta (ofatumumab) for the treatment of adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who have active disease, as defined by clinical and imaging features. In contrast with other B-cell-targeting therapies used in MS, patients can self-administer a precise dose of Kesimpta at home using the Sensoready…

Survey: Patients, Nurses Prefer Sensoready Autoinjector Pen

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their nurses prefer the Sensoready autoinjector pen for subcutaneous self-administration of Kesimpta (ofatumumab) over other methods for injecting treatments, according to a survey. The survey was conducted by Novartis, which markets Kesimpta. Full findings from the survey will be presented at…

CHMP Favors Kesimpta for Adults With Relapsing MS in Europe

A branch of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended thatĀ Kesimpta (ofatumumab) be approved and made available to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults with active disease. A final decision from the European Commission (EC) is expected in about two months. Typically, the EC follows…

Tysabri Superior to Gilenya at Easing Activity in RRMS, Study Reports

Treatment with Tysabri (natalizumab) was more effective thanĀ Gilenya (fingolimod) in helping people with relapsingā€“remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) achieve no evidence of disease activity, a head-to-head study suggested. The study, “BEST-MS: A prospective head-to-head comparative study of natalizumab and fingolimod in active relapsing MS,” was…