Novartis reveals new data showing Gilenya’s MS benefits

Novartis has presented data from two new analyses from the phase III Transforms study that further demonstrate the advantages of its multiple sclerosis (MS) drug Gilenya.

New findings showcased at the European Neurological Society annual meeting revealed that Gilenya was effective against all four key measures of disease activity in MS – brain volume loss, lesion activity, relapse rates and disability progression.

Moreover, improvements were seen in patients who switched from standard interferon treatment to Novartis' therapy within 12 months of the transfer and up to the end of the 4.5-year extension study.

Gilenya is known as the first oral therapy approved to treat relapsing forms of MS and the first in a new class of compounds called sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators.

Dr Timothy Wright, global head of development at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said: "These new findings demonstrate the effect of Gilenya on these key disease measures, both in the early years and in the longer term."

Last month, the company reported positive data from a phase III trial of Afinitor, showing the drug's efficacy in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.