Novartis showcases positive new Gilenya data at ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS

Novartis is showcasing trial data for its drug Gilenya at the joint triennial congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) and Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) this week.

The company is presenting data from 13 abstracts pertaining to the fingolimod-based therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), which has had more than 20,000 patient years of exposure since its introduction.

Analysis presented at the event shows that the drug is able to deliver a 71 percent reduction in annualised relapse rates among patients with highly active disease, while also mitigating rates of brain atrophy.

Gilenya is already approved in Europe as a therapy for severe relapsing-remitting forms of MS, as well as those who have failed to benefit from treatment using interferon beta.

David Epstein, head of pharmaceuticals at Novartis, said: "These findings will help further solidify the role of Gilenya in the treatment of MS within its approved indication."

Earlier this month, the company published new clinical data for its chronic obstructive pulmonary disease therapy Onbrez Breezhaler, showing its benefits compared to a leading alternative.