Novartis presents weaker-than-expected relapse data for multiple sclerosis drug remibrutinib

By Bhanvi Satija and Marleen Kaesebier LONDON/ZURICH, Oct 23 (Reuters) Swiss drugmaker Novartis oral multiple sclerosis (MS) drug remibrutinib meaningfully reduced relapses in patients, according to data presented at a medical ​conference in Toronto on Friday, but less than analysts ‌had expected. The drug reduced annualized relapse rates by 35.2% and 31.2%, compared with teriflunomide, an older MS treatment sold by Sanofi under the brand name Aubagio. Analysts had expected a reduction of 45% to 60%. The detailed trial results, ‌previously ​disclosed only in top-line form, were presented ⁠days after Roche released ⁠its own data on rival MS drug fenebrutinib. In pooled Phase III data, Roche reported a 55% reduction in annualized relapse rate versus teriflunomide. All in all, they might be quite similar ​in what they do in terms of reducing relapses and disability, Heinz Wiendl, co-chair of the Novartis studies, said in ⁠an interview. Ahead of the readout, analysts said ⁠that relaps