NOVARTIS' DATA FROM MS STUDY POSITIVE

Data from the extension of a Phase II study confirms the significant effects of Novartis' FTY720, a novel oral medication, for the treatment of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS).

The data, presented at the ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS meeting in Thessalonica, Greece, showed that both patient groups taking FTY720 (1.25 mg and 5 mg) who had experienced a reduction in their annualized relapse rate of more than 50 percent during the first six months of the study compared to placebo maintained this low relapse rate during the subsequent six-month extension.

In patients who switched from placebo to either the 1.25 mg or 5 mg dosing of FTY720 after six months, the annualized relapse rate was reduced by at least 70 percent during the second six-month study phase compared to the first six months on placebo.