Novartis MS research has been focused primarily on the new Novartis MS pill Fingolimod. But it doesn’t end there. Novartis Multiple Sclerosis research is also now developing a new oral medication for MS called BAF-312 for the time being. This is a second generation spingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator. Currently in Phase II studies, it is now being tried on humans for the first time. The new Novartis Multiple Sclerosis drug is a back-up compound for Fingolimod, the Novartis MS stalwart. The phase II trial of BAF-312 is trying to determine the best dosage for use in further trials. BAF-312 acts on lymphocytes to limit or inhibit them from moving to inflammation sites. Information on this drug is still very limited from Novartis. MS researchers are hopeful that it may be more selective in which receptors it modulates. More selectivity may result in better outcomes with less side-effects but that remains to be seen.
Fingolimod remains the primary focus of Novartis MS research
The main weapon in the arsenal is Novartis Multiple Sclerosis Fingolimod oral therapy, or FTY720. Besides the fact that it is an oral treatment, it is also somewhat unique in its action in that it reversibly modulates the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors found on lymphocytes. This causes them to stay in the lymph nodes rather than circulate. Lowering the number of lymphocytes in the brain will reduce the inflammatory damage in the central nervous system.
In Phase III trials involving RRMS patients, the relapse rate was reduced by 54 – 60%, while disease progression was reduced by about 30%.
Novartis is a research pioneer giant and a global corporate citizen.
The current number of drugs that Novartis has in the pipeline is near 50. They are researching oncology, transplant rejection therapies, respiratory diseases, ophthalmic diseases, and neurology. Notably, Novartis has 20 drugs approved for use in the United States by the FDA over the past decade – more than any other pharmaceutical company.
Along with the contributions Novartis MS research has made to the Multiple Sclerosis community, they have partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to make free treatment available to leprosy patients around the world. It is estimated that this program alone has helped over four and a half million people in seven years. They are also advocates for a worldwide living wage, themselves making sure that all their employees are paid a wage to meet at least the amount needed to provide basic material needs for their families. They are also doing what they can to reduce greenhouse gases by modifying the corporate vehicle fleet in an effort to reduce emissions bt at least 10%. Novartis is doing all it can to remove the negative image often associated with Big Pharmaceutical Companies.
