Novel BTK blocker shows promise in relapsing multiple sclerosis

New Phase II data from Roche (ROG: SIX) show its BTK inhibitor, fenebrutinib, demonstrated near-complete suppression of disease activity and disability progression in relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS).

The 48-week findings, presented at the 40th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), show potential for fenebrutinib to significantly impact the treatment landscape for MS if validated in ongoing Phase III trials.

According to the new data from the Phase II FENopta open-label extension study, 96% of patients treated with fenebrutinib were relapse-free at one year, with an annualized relapse rate of 0.04.