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Novartis impresses with 2005 product pipeline

January 12, 2005 - One drug that is expected to make waves in the long term is transplant drug FTY720. The treatment works by a unique mechanism of action, directing T-cells away from the graft.

Despite its long-term importance, in the short and medium term only modest sales are expected due to the need to build clinical trial data and to the conservative nature of transplantation physicians. Transplantation is seen as a good business, that requires little marketing and relative lack of competition for effective treatments

There is potential for FTY720 in multiple sclerosis (currently in Phase II, data expected January 20). However, the company acknowledged that it would likely be five years before FTY720 has an impact on Novartis’ sales. Phase III data in 2005, was expected with a 2006 launch anticipated.

http://www.drugresearcher.com/news/news ... esses-with

Dignan,

You're the 'master' when it comes to picking up on ms drugs in the pipeline. There seems to be so many that I've lost track of them all. Let's hope that some of them really have an effect on this horrible disease. And lets hope that future drugs will also cover the progressive forms of this disease.

Most of the major drugs companies seem to be investing in ms drugs and many are expected to be launched within the next 3-5 years. I think those diagnosed in 5 years time will hopefully have an array of effective drugs to choose from.

Bromley

Dignan, the link you gave on this page is not working fore me and, I would love to read up on this drug since my neuro is just waiting for a GO to put me on the study for this drug. Can you help?

Ok Dignan, I just did a google search on FTY720 and found what I needed. Thanks anyway. Carole

A close relative of mine actually works for Novartis. At an internal conference in Rhodes last month, they talked about the trial results. Apparently, it has performed really well in phase II for MS.

Lets hope they can get this to market sooner rather than later.