Novartis reports Phase 3 success for MS pill remibrutinib, beats Aubagio and shows no liver safety issues

Novartis announced that its BTK inhibitor remibrutinib met primary endpoints in two Phase 3 trials in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis.

The studies showed the drug reduced annualized relapse rates and the number of new inflammatory brain lesions more than the active comparator Aubagio.

Researchers also reported clinically meaningful slowing of disability progression and no liver related safety signals, a concern with other BTK inhibitors.

Following the announcement, Novartis shares rose more than 4% on the news. Remibrutinib is already marketed as Rhapsido for chronic urticaria, and the company plans to file the MS data with regulators.

The positive readout is seen as a way for Novartis to bolster its pipeline and offset upcoming revenue losses from patent expirations.