Novartis halts late-stage remibrutinib trial in myasthenia gravis, citing lack of efficacy

what happened

Novartis said it has stopped a late-stage clinical trial of its drug remibrutinib in generalized myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease. The reason is insufficient efficacy: an analysis indicated the treatment is unlikely to meet its goals. The company added that no safety concerns were found and that other ongoing trials are not affected. Dow Jones Newswires reported the decision was disclosed alongside third-quarter results.

Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan told reporters the drug could still become the largest medicine in the company's history. Novartis had recently reported that remibrutinib helped deliver comprehensive disease control in two late-stage trials in the most common form of multiple sclerosis. The drug is already approved as Rhapsido for chronic hives and is being studied for hidradenitis suppurativa and food allergy.

why it matters

For investors the news matters mainly to Novartis itself, since dropping one indication lowers expectations for the drug in a niche area. Broader market impact is limited because the company's other programs continue.

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