Novartis study underlines high efficacy of MS drug Gilenya

Novartis has presented new study data that demonstrate the strong efficacy provided by its multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy Gilenya.

Analyses of the phase III FREEDOMS and FREEDOMS II trials have underlined Gilenya's success in achieving 'no evidence of disease activity' (NEDA) status in people with relapsing-remitting MS across four key disease measures.

People taking Gilenya were shown to experience fourfold increase in the likelihood of achieving NEDA in terms of relapses, MRI lesions, brain shrinkage and disability progression.

As well as proving the drug's benefits, the studies also highlight the the value of including brain shrinkage as part of an expanded definition of NEDA, as this allows physicians to obtain a more complete assessment of disease status.

Vasant Narasimhan, global head of development at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said: "The data highlights the proven high efficacy of Gilenya, based on this new improved definition, across four key measures of MS."

Gilenya has been used to treat more than 100,000 patients in clinical trials and post-marketing settings over the last ten years.