Novartis Wins Approval for MS Treatment

Federal regulators approved Novartis’ Mayzent (siponimod) for a particularly aggressive form of multiple sclerosis and the company hopes to have the drug on the market within a week.

Mayzent, an oral tablet, is the first treatment for relapsing MS in nearly two decades. The approval was supported by data from a Phase III trial that found Mayzent significantly reduced disability progression in patients.

The U.S. National MS Society said it hopes the approval will “stimulate a conversation between patients and healthcare professionals about disability progression after relapsing, remitting MS and its early management.”