Posted on 21/01/2010 in Pharmaceutical Company Product News Novartis has revealed that its therapy FTY720 (fingolimod) has shown significant efficacy in reducing relapses, disability progression and MRI lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
The drug, regulatory approval for which was submitted in the EU and US last month, was shown in one 12-month phase III trial to reduce relapses by 52 per cent, compared to interferon beta-1a (Avonex).
A second trial, which lasted for a further year, found that FTY720 reduced the relapse rate by 54 per cent in doses of 0.5 mg and by 60 per cent for 1.25 mg measures compared to placebo.
"The [...] data demonstrate the efficacy of fingolimod compared to the current standard of care. These findings may represent a real step forward in the fight against MS," said Jeffrey Cohen, study lead investigator and staff physician at the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research.
Earlier this week, Novartis revealed that it will provide $2.5 million (1.53 million pounds) for aid operations following the Haiti earthquake. Other news stories from 21/01/2010
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