Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, which can lead to impaired vision, loss of balance or coordination, fatigue, and muscle weakness among many other symptoms that patients may experience. The cause of MS is unknown, and a complete cure is not available. However, there are therapies that may slow down the disease progression.1-3 Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2020, ofatumumab is a self-administered SC, targeted B-cell therapy for patients with relapsing MS.4,5 Novartis is looking for additional ways to medically differentiate ofatumumab.
Affecting approximately 2.5 million people worldwide, the typical onset of MS occurs between 20 and 40 years of age, with a greater prevalence in women compared to men.2 Patients with MS have difficulty performing tasks associated with everyday activities and self-care, which leads to a lower quality of life.7
There are 4 distinct disease courses: clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS), and secondary progressive MS (SPMS).8 As the name suggests, RRMS is characterized by relapses interspersed with periods of remission; however, there is disease
progression that leads to increasing disability over time.9
Approximately 85 percentage of patients with MS are initially diagnosed with RRMS.10 In clinical trials ofatumumab has been shown to be safe and efficacious and can be self-administered at home without need for premedication. Clinical trials demonstrated that the treatment produced a reduction in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions, reducing relapses and slowing underlying disease progression.5 Novartis is looking for additional approaches to medically differentiate ofatumumab in RMS, including generation of new data.
Awards:- $20,000
Deadline:- 15-07-2022
