ECTRIMS Congress 2013: 
Novartis and Biogen Idec continued to roll out new data about their multiple sclerosis treatments yesterday at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. The day after showing that two of their respective therapies provided better results with earlier treatments, the companies followed up with analyses of safety and brain volume loss for their oral drugs, both of which have already gained significant market share in treating the disease.

Thursday, Novartis announced new data showing that continued Gilenya (fingolimod) treatment led to a reduction in brain volume loss in patients with relapsing forms of MS. The company touts the
blockbuster as the only oral treatment that reduces the rate of brain volume loss--one of the best indicators of disability progression over the long-term, it says. Patients with higher rates of brain volume loss were more likely to see the disease progress, while those who remained MS-free had consistently lower rates of brain volume loss. And using Gilenya for four years instead of two was more effective to that end, with four-year treatment cutting brain volume loss by a third.

Dr. Timothy Wright, Novartis' global head of development, called the data very encouraging for the drug. "They are from studies that took place over four years and show that Gilenya both reduces brain volume loss and slows the pace of disability progression for patients with MS. These are key treatment goals for patients with this chronic and debilitating illness," he said.