novartis_outside_1

A decade after US approval, Novartis’ Gilenya scores marketing authorisation in China for relapsing multiple sclerosis

pharmafile | July 19, 2019 | News story | Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing Novartis, gilenya, multiple sclerosis, pharma 

Novartis has revealed that its disease modifying drug Gilenya (fingolimod) has secured approval in China for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS), almost a decade after it originally received marketing authorisation in the US.

The Chinese National Medicinal Products Administration (NMPA) approved the drug’s use in patients over the age of 10.

In China, MS is treated as a rare disease, and it is estimated that around 30,000 patients are affected by the condition in the country.  Despite being on the market for a decade, the drug remains Novartis’ second-highest revenue-generating product, making $825 million in the second quarter.

“It is exciting news for MS patients in China that Gilenya has received fast approval. The approval of Gilenya and the upcoming regulatory review for Mayzent demonstrate our commitment to Chinese patients,” remarked Marie-France Tschudin, President of Novartis Pharmaceuticals. “We are proud that Gilenya already demonstrated its benefits to over 283,000 MS patients worldwide. We are committed to bringing innovation to China with our key brands Entresto, Cosentyx and now Gilenya.”

Ingrid Zhang, President of Novartis Pharmaceuticals China, also commented: “I am delighted that we can now offer Gilenya to doctors and patients in China. There is a considerable need for MS treatments in China and we strive to bring clinical benefit to many patients with multiple sclerosis and improve their quality of life.”

Matt Fellows

Related Content

Novartis shares new data about Fabhalta for IgAN treatment

Novartis has announced new results from a pre-specified interim analysis of its phase 3 APPLAUSE-IgAN …

chuttersnap-oijvdm3zx4i-unsplash

Novartis shares new data for Zolgensma in children with SMA

Novartis has announced new data to continue the support of the clinical benefits of Zolgensma …

Novartis to acquire MorphoSys AG for €2.7bn

Novartis has announced that it has entered an agreement to acquire MorphoSys AG for €2.7bn, …

Latest content