NEW HOPE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH MS

Experimental, New Oral Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis Enters
Wide Spread Testing

Story Summary:

A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that an oral compound entering wide-spread testing is showing promise – offering new hope to the 400,000 Americans living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Most people with MS are first diagnosed with the relapsing-remitting form of the disease, which means symptoms are stable for periods of time and then flare up or cause relapses. Currently, available treatments for MS are all given by injection and are beneficial to a lot of people, but many patients experience side effects. Some patients get painful sores at the injection site.

Now, a Phase II study shows that an oral compound, known as FTY720, can significantly reduce the number of relapses and brain inflammation in MS patients for up to a year. FTY720 is now being tested in a larger number of people.

For more information on the clinical trial of experimental drug FTY720, visit: www.msclinicaltrials.com or call 866-788-3930 toll-free.

Some Facts About Multiple Sclerosis

• MS affects more than 400,000 people in the United States
• Patients usually develop MS in their twenties and thirties
• It is the most common neurological disability of young adults

Soundbites

• Ken Laws, MS Patient
• Dr. Anthony Reder, University of Chicago
• Dr. Ludwig Kappos, University of Basel, Switzerland

B-Roll Includes

• MS patient at home
• patient/doctor in exam setting
• shot of NEJM cover

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: "Novartis"