February 2, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS FDA Approves Plegridy as Intramuscular Injection for Relapsing MS The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an intramuscular injectionĀ formulation of Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) to treat people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This formulation, for injection directly into muscle, is what is typically used to deliver the flu shot. According to Biogen, Plegridy’s…
January 25, 2021 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Stem Cell Transplant Can Produce Long-term Benefits in Relapsing MS Patients A stem cell transplant can prevent disability progression and maintain disease remission over long periods of time in most patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) who failed to respond adequately to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), a study reports. The study, āLong-Term Clinical Outcomes of Hematopoietic…
January 19, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Brain Changes in Relapsing MS Found to Follow Pattern Changes in the amount of grey matter in specific regions of the brain appear to occur early in relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), while structural changes in white matter happen late in disease progression. These were among the findings of a recent study that tracked the sequence of events in…
December 21, 2020 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Kesimpta Available Through AllianceRx for US Patients With Relapsing MS Kesimpta (ofatumumab), the first self-administered B-cell therapy to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), is now available via AllianceRx Walgreens Prime, one of the largest specialty and home delivery pharmacies operating in the U.S., to patients living in the country. The specialty pharmacy ā which focuses on serving…
December 14, 2020 News by Diana Campelo Delgado Sanofi Enrolling for 2 GEMINI Trials Testing Tolebrutinib vs. Aubagio for Relapsing MS Two global Phase 3 clinical trials, both comparing Sanofi Genzymeās investigational tolebrutinib with its approved therapy Aubagio, are enrolling a total of 1,800 people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), the company said. All patients in both studies ā dubbed GEMINI 1 and GEMINI 2 ā will…
October 14, 2020 News by Forest Ray PhD Aubagio’s Long-term Benefits Not Influenced by Prior Treatments, Review Finds Prior treatment with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) does not affect the long-term benefits of Aubagio (teriflunomide) in treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a review study. The study, “Prior treatment status: impact on the efficacy and safety of teriflunomide in multiple sclerosis,”…
October 8, 2020 News by Sara Guariglia FDA Approves Lupin’s Generic Form of Tecfidera for MS Treatment Lupin‘s generic equivalent ofĀ Tecfidera has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment ofĀ multiple sclerosis (MS), the company announced in a press release. The therapy ā dimethyl fumarate delayed-release capsules ā is indicated for use in people withĀ clinically…
September 29, 2020 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD FDA Approves Generic of Tecfidera for Adults With Relapsing MS The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ciplaās dimethyl fumarate capsules, a generic version of Biogenās Tecfidera, to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), the company announced in aĀ press release. This generic is packagedĀ as 120 mg or 240 mg…
September 11, 2020 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD #MSVirtual2020 – Roche Launches Phase 3 Clinical Program to Test Fenebrutinib Roche has launched a Phase 3 clinical trial program to evaluate fenebrutinib, its investigational oral BTK inhibitor, in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS). Data on fenebrutinibās potency and selectivity, as well as the design of the clinical…
September 11, 2020 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD #MSVirtual2020 – Novartis to Present Latest Data on Kesimpta, Mayzent and Gilenya Novartis will present the latest clinical data on three of its approved multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies ā Kesimpta (ofatumumab), Mayzent (siponimod), and Gilenya (fingolimod) ā at the Ā MSVirtual2020 meeting that opens today. The 8th joint meeting of the Americas Committee for Treatment and…
September 10, 2020 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD #MSVirtual2020 – Ponesimod Superior to Aubagio in Delaying Disability Progression in Relapsing MS, Trial Data Show Janssen Pharmaceuticalsā investigational oral therapy ponesimod is superior to Sanofiās Aubagio (teriflunomide) in delaying disability progression in adults with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to exploratory analyses of OPTIMUM clinical trial data. These and other findings from Janssenās MS research program, including on the health…
September 8, 2020 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Bafiertam, Oral Relapsing MS Therapy, Arrives in US Bafiertam (monomethyl fumarate), a bioequivalent of TecfideraĀ to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), is now available to patients in the U.S. through a network of specialty pharmacies, Banner Life Sciences, the therapyās developer, announced. Banner previously stated that Bafiertam would arrive on the market…
September 3, 2020 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD #MSVirtual2020 ā Zeposia Still Prevents Relapses in Relapsing MS Patients After 3 Years, Trial Data Show Zeposia (ozanimod) oral capsules continue to safely and effectively prevent relapses and disability progression in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to three-year data from a Phase 3 extension clinical trial. āGaining insight into long-term therapeutic outcomes can enable clinicians to identify the most appropriate…
September 1, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Kesimpta Meets Safety, Efficacy and Flexibility Needs of Relapsing MS, Experts Say Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is a safe and effective treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), with an ease of delivery that makes it more convenient than comparable therapies, experts say. Developed and marketed by Novartis, Kesimpta was recently approved by the…
August 21, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS FDA Approves Kesimpta, B-cell Targeting Therapy for Relapsing MS The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Novartis‘ Kesimpta (ofatumumab) as a self-administered treatment for adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), meaning those withĀ clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), and active secondary progressive MS (SPMS). According to Novartis,…
August 20, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Mylan Launching Tecfidera Generic in US Mylan announced the launch of a first generic version of Tecfidera, a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The generic, now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is the first generic of any MS treatment available in an oral solid ā…
August 12, 2020 News by Forest Ray PhD Aubagio Shows Long-term Safety, Efficacy in Relapsing MS Extension Study AubagioĀ (teriflunomide), taken as a 14 mg tablet once a day, shows long-term safety and efficacy in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to results of the Phase 3 TOWER extension study. Treatment was generally well tolerated by the 751 patients using Aubagio for a median…
August 7, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Ofatumumab Seen as Superior to Aubagio at Lowering Relapse Rates in Phase 3 Trials Novartis‘ ofatumumab outperformedĀ Aubagio (teriflunomide) at lowering the frequency of relapses and preventing disability progression among people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), a study based on clinical trial data reports. The study, “Ofatumumab versus Teriflunomide in Multiple Sclerosis,” was published in…
July 31, 2020 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Order Seen in Motor Skills Affected by MS, With Walking Taking First Hit Walking abilities decline earlier and faster than arm and hand function in people recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosisĀ (MS), particularly those withĀ progressive MS (MS), a study showed. These findings, which are consistent with those reported in a previous natural history study called NARCOMS, suggest an ascending order of…
July 20, 2020 News by Forest Ray PhD Bafiertam, for Adults With Relapsing MS, Available in US in September Banner Life Sciences announced thatĀ Bafiertam (monomethyl fumarate) will become available to adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States beginning in September. The U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationĀ (FDA)Ā approved Bafiertam in April as a bioequivalent to BiogenāsĀ Tecfidera…
July 7, 2020 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Study: Mavenclad Shows Long-term Effectiveness at Preventing MS Relapses, Disease Progression MavencladĀ (cladribine) prevents relapses and disease progression in more than half of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) for at least five years after the last dose, according to a real-life study from Italy. These findings, based on real-world data from Italian MS patients previously treated…
June 25, 2020 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD 1st Relapsing MS Patient Enrolls in Phase 3 Trial of Oral SAR442168 A first person has enrolled inĀ Sanofiās Phase 3 trial evaluatingĀ SAR442168, an oral BTK inhibitorĀ intended to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), Sanofiās partner, Principia Biopharma, announced. āWe are delighted that Sanofi has initiated ā¦ [this] trial in patients with relapsing MS,ā Roy Hardiman, chief…
June 17, 2020 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Phase 3 Trial of GA Depot for Relapsing MS Advances With $20M Support Mapi Pharma, supported by an additionalĀ $20 million investment from its partner Mylan, will continue a Phase 3 trial assessing the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of GA Depot, its long-acting, once-a-month injectable formulation of glatiramer acetate. The study (NCT04121221),Ā which opened in October 2019,…
May 29, 2020 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Ofatumumab Lowers B-cell Counts and Helps Relapsing MS Patients Reach NEDA, Data Show Ofatumumab (OMB157) elicits a strong and fast reduction in the levels of circulating immune cells in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), effectively helping to stop disease activity, according to new data from the Phase 2 APLIOS trial. The medication was also found to be more…
May 26, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Evobrutinib Lowers MS Relapse Rates Over 2 Years of Use, Trial Data Show Note: This story was updated May 27, 2020, to note a change in the protocol of the EVOLUTION trials, which are now comparing evobrutinib with Aubagio, rather than Avonex, along with updated NCT numbers. The investigational oral medication evobrutinib leads to a sustained reduction in relapse rates…
May 7, 2020 News by InĆŖs Martins, PhD Long-term Gilenya Use Helps Delay Disability in Relapsing MS, 10-year Study Reports People with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) being treated withĀ GilenyaĀ (fingolimod) for eight or more years show smaller increases in disability over 10 years than those using this treatment for a shorter time, a long-term follow-up study reports. Longer use ofĀ Gilenya also resulted in lesser disability progression,…
April 20, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Sanofi to Detail Trial Results of Oral Relapsing MS Therapy Online on Thursday Sanofi will host an online science session to present results of a Phase 2b clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of its investigational, oral BTK inhibitor SAR442168 in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The virtual session, owing to the cancellation of the American Academy…
March 13, 2020 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD #ACTRIMS2020 – Ofatumumab Self-injection Pen May Be ‘Very Attractive’ Option for Relapsing MS Monthly under-the-skin injections of NovartisāĀ investigational candidate ofatumumab show promise as a convenient, effective, and safe therapeutic option for people with relapsing multiple sclerosisĀ (MS). Data from the ASCLEPIOS and APLIOS clinical trials showed that ofatumumab ā currently under regulatory review for possible approval in the U.S. and Europe…
October 30, 2019 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Vumerity Approved in US as Treatment for RRMS and Active SPMS The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Vumerity (diroximel fumarate)Ā for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), and active secondary progressive disease (SPMS). Vumerity (previously known as ALKS 8700) was developed by Alkermes…
October 30, 2019 News by Alice MelĆ£o, MSc First Relapsing MS Patient Enrolled in Phase 3 Trial of Mapi Pharmaās Once-monthly Glatiramer Formulation A new Phase 3 clinical trial to explore the safety and efficacy of Mapi Pharmaās once-a-month injectable formulation of glatiramer acetate ā named GA Depot ā has started enrolling patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). The trial (NCT04121221) is expected to enroll approximately 960 participants, 18 to 55…