Tiziana’s experimental MS treatment meets main goals in mid-stage study

Nov 2 (Reuters) – Tiziana Life Sciences said on Monday its experimental therapy for a progressive form of multiple sclerosis with no approved treatments reduced brain inflammation and showed a favorable safety profile in a mid-stage trial.

Shares of the biopharmaceutical company were up more than 7% in premarket trading.

• The study met both primary endpoints, with the 50-microgram dose of the nasal treatment significantly reducing brain inflammation versus placebo, while both the 50- and 100-microgram doses met safety goals, Tiziana said

• Patients receiving the treatment foralumab showed clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue after 12 weeks, while the placebo group did not, according to the company

• Multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the brain and spinal cord; Tiziana said its non-active secondary progressive form involves gradually worsening disability without flare-ups or new signs of disease activity

• The trial enrolled 48 patients across eight US sites and compared placebo with 50- and 100-microgram doses

• No deaths, treatment-related serious side effects or treatment discontinuations were reported during the study, Tiziana said

• The most common side effects were headache, falls, nasal congestion and runny nose, according to the company

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)