NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — A study
published this week by ITG (NYSE:
ITG) revealed that Novartis recently approved drug,
Gilenya, has already taken share from market leaders in the
multiple sclerosis (MS) market, and uptake is expected to increase
significantly over the next year.  Gilenya came onto
the market in late September as the first FDA-approved oral
disease-modifying MS drug, and Novartis initially faced
safety concerns and monitoring requirements that deterred some
physicians from adopting the new drug.  Over 60% of
neurologists in ITG’s study cited safety concerns and monitoring as
limiting their use of the drug, but most indicated that their
prescribing of Gilenya will increase significantly over the
course of 2011 as they continue to shift inadequate responders from
other MS therapies to the new drug.  Early switching data from
ITG’s proprietary panel of neurologists indicates that BIIB’s
Avonex may be the biggest loser of all, as nearly one-third
of switches to Gilenya thus far have been from
Avonex.

The study titled Event Pulse: Launch of Gilenya shows
that Gilenya has been detailed heavily to neurologists since
its launch.  Neurologists in the study reported more frequent
details on Gilenya in November than any of the other
MS therapies.  Study findings reveal that Novartis reps
seem to be promoting the drug’s unique oral formulation and its
efficacy compared to market leaders, especially Biogen Idec’s
Avonex. Still, results from the study show that
Novartis has not been able to completely allay neurologists’
concerns about Gilenya‘s safety. Until resolved,
Gilenya will likely be prescribed primarily for patients who
have discontinued or have had an inadequate response to other MS
therapie

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