Sep 18, 2024
  • Nearly 90% of first-line Kesimpta patients had no disability progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) for up to six years in an analysis of open-label ALITHIOS extension study1
  • More than 80% of patients receiving first-line Kesimpta were progression-free for up to six years, reinforcing the value of introducing Kesimpta early1
  • Patients switching to Kesimpta from IV anti-CD20 therapy showed no new active lesions (Gd+ T1) 12 months after switch in separate US single-arm, open-label, Phase IIIb OLIKOS study2

Basel, September 18, 2024 – Novartis today announced new data from the ALITHIOS open-label extension study. Data show first-line Kesimpta® (ofatumumab) treatment for up to six years led to less disability and disease progression in recently diagnosed (≤3 years) and treatment-naïve (RDTN) people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), compared to those who switched from teriflunomide1.

A separate US-based single-arm OLIKOS Phase IIIb study showed that at 12 months, all clinically stable RMS patients who switched from intravenous (IV) anti-CD20 therapy to Kesimpta showed no new gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) T1 lesions, a commonly used marker of disease activity, compared to baseline2.

These data will be presented at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) 2024 Annual Meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark on September 18-20.

“We continue to study the efficacy and safety of Kesimpta in different populations of people living with relapsing multiple sclerosis as part of our mission to advance care,” said Norman Putzki, M.D., Ph.D., Global Development Unit Head, Neuroscience & Gene Therapy, Novartis International AG. “Novartis is committed to understanding and solving some of the most burdensome neurological conditions to improve the quality of life for patients and their caregivers, and to make a positive impact on society.”

Kesimpta benefits in first-line patients
Data from the overall ALITHIOS study population showed that continuous use of Kesimpta was associated with numerically fewer 6-month confirmed disability worsening (6mCDW) and progression independent of relapse activity (6mPIRA) events up to six years compared to those who switched from teriflunomide1. These benefits appeared more pronounced in the RDTN subgroup, defined as starting treatment within three years of diagnosis1.

  • RDTN patients receiving continuous Kesimpta were more likely to remain free from 6mCDW compared to those who switched to Kesimpta from teriflunomide (83.4% vs. 76.3%)1.
  • RDTN patients receiving continuous Kesimpta were also more likely to be free of 6mPIRA vs. switching from teriflunomide (88.9% vs. 83.3%)1.

“These data showed that people recently diagnosed with relapsing multiple sclerosis who received first-line Kesimpta had fewer disability worsening events and greater likelihood of being progression-free,” said lead investigator Amit Bar-Or, M.D., Director of the Center for Neuroinflammation and Neurotherapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania. “The reduction of disability accumulation observed early in the disease course supports earlier adoption of Kesimpta.”

Limitations of the results include a potential for attrition bias and the open-label nature of the extension study1.

No new T1 lesions in patients who switched from IV therapy to Kesimpta
The US-based OLIKOS study analyzed 102 clinically stable RMS patients who switched from previous IV anti-CD20 therapy (99% from ocrelizumab) to Kesimpta2. For 84 patients with MRI results, no new Gd+ T1 lesions were observed at 12 months, the study’s primary endpoint. Additionally, 98% of patients did not develop new/enlarging T2 (NeT2) lesions at 12 months, an exploratory endpoint in the study2.

Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred at a similar frequency as in the core Phase III ASCLEPIOS clinical trials, with no new safety signals identified2. The most commonly reported (≥10%) TEAEs were COVID-19, headache, fatigue, and urinary tract infection. Mean serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM levels remained stable up to 12 months2.

About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by myelin destruction and axonal damage in the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord3. MS, which affects nearly 3 million people worldwide4, can be characterized into four main types: clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting (RRMS), secondary progressive (SPMS) and primary progressive (PPMS)5. The various forms of MS can be distinguished based on whether a patient experiences relapses (clearly defined acute inflammatory attacks of worsening neurological function), and/or whether they experience progression of neurologic damage and disability from the onset of the disease3.

About Kesimpta® (ofatumumab)
Kesimpta is a targeted, precisely dosed and delivered B-cell therapy that provides the flexibility of self-administration for adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). It is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) self-administered by a once-monthly injection, delivered subcutaneously6-9. Initial doses of Kesimpta are at Weeks 0, 1 and 2, with the first injection performed under the guidance of a healthcare professional6,7. The selective mechanism of action and subcutaneous administration of Kesimpta allows precise delivery to the lymph nodes, where B-cell depletion in MS is needed, and preclinical studies have shown that it may preserve the B-cells in the spleen10. Ofatumumab was originally developed by Genmab and licensed to GlaxoSmithKline. Novartis obtained rights for ofatumumab from GlaxoSmithKline in all indications, including RMS, in December 201511.

Kesimpta has been approved for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in over 90 countries worldwide with more than 100,000 patients treated as of August 20246,7,12.

Novartis in Neuroscience
At Novartis, we have been tackling neurological conditions for more than 80 years, launching transformative treatments which have made meaningful differences to millions of people worldwide now and in the future. We continue to collaborate on industry-leading treatments in multiple sclerosis, pediatric neurology, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation and psychiatry.

Disclaimer
This media update contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “potential,” “can,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “look forward,” “believe,” “committed,” “investigational,” “pipeline,” “launch,” or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this media update, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this media update will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this media update as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this media update as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis
Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide.

Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram.

References

  1. Bar-Or A, Hauser SL, Cohen JA, et al. Early Initiation of Ofatumumab Delays Disability Progression in People With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: 6-Year Results From ALITHIOS Open-Label Extension Study. Poster presentation at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) 2024 Annual Meeting; September 18–20, 2024; Copenhagen, Denmark. 
  2. Hua LH, Brown B, Camacho E, et al. Efficacy and Safety in Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Who Switched to Subcutaneous Ofatumumab From Intravenous Anti-CD20 Therapies: Results From the OLIKOS Study. Poster presentation at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) 2024 Annual Meeting; September 18–20, 2024; Copenhagen, Denmark. 
  3. Guthrie E. Multiple sclerosis: A primer and update. Adv Studies Pharm. 2007;4(11):313-317. 
  4. Portaccio E, Magyari M, Kubala Havrdova E, et al. Multiple sclerosis: emerging epidemiological trends and redefining the clinical course. Lancet Reg. Health Eur. 2024;44:100977.
  5. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Types of MS. Available from: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Types-of-MS Accessed September 10, 2024 
  6. Kesimpta. Prescribing Information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation East Hanover. 2024. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/125326s079lbl… Accessed September 11, 2024. 
  7. Kesimpta. Summary of Product Characteristics. Novartis Ireland Limited. 2023. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/kesimpta-epar-product-information_en.pdf Accessed June 23, 2024. 
  8. Hauser SL, Kappos L, Bar-Or A, et al. The Development of Ofatumumab, a Fully Human Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody for Practical Use in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Treatment. Neurol Ther. 2023;12(5):1491-1515. 
  9. Bar-Or A, Fox E, Goodyear A, et al. Onset of B-cell depletion with subcutaneous administration of ofatumumab in relapsing multiple sclerosis: results from the APLIOS bioequivalence study. Poster presentation at Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Annual Forum; February 27–29, 2020; West Palm Beach, FL, US. 
  10. Smith P, Huck C, Wegert V, et al. Low-dose, subcutaneous anti-CD20 therapy effectively depletes B-cells and ameliorates CNS autoimmunity. Poster presentation at: the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Annual Meeting 2016; September 14–17, 2016; London, UK. 
  11. Genmab. Press Release: Genmab announces completion of agreement to transfer remaining ofatumumab rights. December 21, 2015. Available from: https://ir.genmab.com/static-files/9d491b72-bb0b-4e46-a792-dee6c29aaf7d Accessed September 10, 2024. 
  12. Novartis. Data on file. 
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