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 …