Genentech presents positive new data on BTK inhibitor fenebrutinib for MS

Swiss pharma giant Roche (ROG: SIX) subsidiary Genentech has announced new data from the Phase II FENopta study showing that investigational, oral fenebrutinib is brain penetrant and reduces brain lesions in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), with a consistent safety profile to other fenebrutinib trials.

The late-breaking data were featured in an oral presentation at the 9th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS Meeting (European and Americas Committees for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis).

“These interesting results raise the possibility that fenebrutinib slows MS disease progression in part by acting directly within the brain,” said Dr Levi Garraway, Genentech’s chief medical officer and head of global product development. “These data, which we are currently confirming in pivotal trials of both relapsing and progressive MS, suggest that fenebrutinib may have the potential to counteract acute and chronic inflammation within the brain to reduce disease activity in people with MS,” he noted.