MS Drug

BTW, the correct spelling of the drug company’s name is Novartis.

The drug appears to be an immunosuppressant acting on T-cells. Whether this would be an effective treatment for CIDP, I can’t tell you.

Here is a copy of the press release from their site.

=======
New data for FTY720 – aiming to become the first orally effective multiple sclerosis treatment – show sustained benefits over two years

Phase II results show sustained reduction in relapses and inflammation in MS patients, with low disease activity maintained over two years
FTY720 may represent a new approach to treating multiple sclerosis (MS) through its unique mode of action
MS is one of the most common disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) in young adults, affecting more than 2.5 million people worldwide and 400,000 people in the U.S.
Phase III program investigating FTY720 now being implemented in the U.S. For more information, patients should call toll-free 866-788-3930 or visit [url]www.clinicaltrials.gov[/url]

East Hanover, NJ, September 28, 2006 – The developmental oral therapy FTY720 (fingolimod) has demonstrated sustained benefits over two years in patients suffering from various relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, indicating that it could provide an important new option for treating this disabling neurological disease estimated to affect more than 2.5 million people worldwide and 400,000 people in the U.S.

New Phase II data presented today show that up to 77% of patients taking once-daily oral FTY720 remained free of relapses over two years. They also maintained a low rate of inflammatory disease as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The results were presented at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) meeting in Madrid, Spain. They provide longer term data regarding the clinical profile of FTY720, following the publication of one-year Phase II data in the New England Journal of Medicine on September, 14 2006.

New preclinical data also presented at the congress suggest that FTY720 may work through multiple modes of action. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, preclinical data suggest that FTY720 may have the potential to reduce neurodegeneration and enhance repair of the central nervous system (CNS) affected by MS.

MS is a progressive and debilitating disorder of the CNS, that frequently affects young people, women twice as often as men. It is one of the most common inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, causing problems with muscle control and strength, vision, balance, sensation and mental functions. MS typically presents in relapsing forms involving acute self-limiting attacks of neurological dysfunction (or “relapses”) followed by complete or partial restoration of functions

“The results presented at ECTRIMS are very promising, and if confirmed by Phase III data, FTY720 could contribute significantly to improving the quality of life of patients with relapsing MS,” said Professor Ludwig Kappos, chief trial investigator and head of the Outpatient Clinic Neurology-Neurosurgery at the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland. “The data show that FTY720 may offer important clinical benefits. In addition, it is given conveniently in the form of a once-daily pill.”

FTY720 a new approach to treating MS
FTY720, the first oral sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1P-R) modulator, may represent a new approach to the treatment of MS through its unique mode of action.

In MS, inflammatory lymphocytes (T-cells) are believed to be responsible for the destruction of the protective myelin coating, which surrounds the nerves in key areas of the brain and spinal cord. This destruction hinders the ability of nerves to send electrical signals, resulting in problems with muscle movement, coordination, balance and cognition.

FTY720 binds to the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1) on circulating lymphocytes and reversibly traps a proportion of them in the lymph nodes. As a result, FTY720 lowers the number of activated T-cells circulating in the bloodstream and central nervous system. Preclinical data suggest that FTY720 may also impact the neurodegenerative component of MS and promote endogenous repair.

FTY720 has been developed by Novartis and licensed from Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation.

Phase III clinical trials program underway
The positive Phase II results support further evaluation of FTY720 through a large-scale program of Phase III studies in relapsing-remitting MS, which started earlier this year.

This includes a Phase III clinical trials program called FREEDOMS (FTY720 Research Evaluating Effects of Daily Oral therapy in Multiple Sclerosis). The 24-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study program plans to include over 2,000 patients worldwide with the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis between the ages of 18 and 55. Study participants will be randomized equally to receive once-daily oral treatment with FTY720 1.25 mg or 0.5 mg or placebo.

For more information about the study, including eligibility criteria and location of U.S. study sites, patients can call the following toll-free number: 866-788-3930, or visit [url]www.clinicaltrials.gov[/url].

Details of new Phase II data
The data presented at ECTRIMS are from an 18-month active drug extension of a core six-month placebo-controlled study in patients with various forms of relapsing multiple sclerosis. The results show that at six months, FTY720 reduced inflammatory disease activity as seen on MRI by up to 80% and relapse rates by more than 50%, compared to placebo. In the extension phase, placebo patients were switched to active therapy.

Over two years of continuous FTY720 treatment, MRI and clinical disease activity remained low, resulting in an annualized relapse rate of 0.2 with up to 77% of patients remaining relapse free. More than 80% of patients were free from lesions showing active inflammation on MRI. Patients who received placebo for the first six months also experienced a marked improvement after switching to FTY720, and the improvement was sustained through month 24.

The large-scale study was conducted at 32 centers in 11 countries (in Europe and Canada). In the initial placebo-controlled phase, 281 patients were randomized equally to receive FTY720 (1.25 mg or 5 mg) or placebo once-daily for six months. Of the 255 patients who completed this part of the study, 98% volunteered to continue in the extension phase. Patients in the placebo group were then re-randomized to receive either 1.25 mg or 5 mg of FTY720 in a dose-blinded manner. Those already on FTY720 continued with their original treatment.

In the six month placebo-controlled phase of the study, the most frequent adverse events reported for FTY720 were dose-dependent upper respiratory tract infections (mainly nasopharyngitis) and dyspnea, plus diarrhea and nausea. FTY720 treatment was associated with initial dose-dependent decreases in heart rate and expiratory air flow. Clinically asymptomatic increases in alanine aminotransferase (liver enzyme) and an increase in blood pressure were also observed. No unexpected adverse events emerged in patients treated for up to 24 months compared with the six-month placebo-controlled phase. There was no further elevation of blood pressure with continued treatment beyond the effect seen at six months. The ongoing Phase III study program includes comprehensive monitoring, which will provide further characterization of the safety profile of FTY720.

we all no what drug company u were talking about!!!!!

\
THE SPELLING DOSENT MATTER TO MOST OF US:D