Strong HERCULES Data Keep Sanofi's MS Plans Alive

Tolebrutinib has missed its goal in the GEMINI 1 and 2 trials of reducing annualised relapse rate in multiple sclerosis patients but the Paris-headquartered firm is claiming a resounding victory for the BTK inhibitor in delaying disability progression in people with non-relapsing secondary progressive MS in the HERCULES study.

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Houman Ashrafian • Source: Sanofi

Two out of three closely watched trials of Sanofi's multiple sclerosis candidate tolebrutinib have ended in disappointment but the French major – as well as the market – is focusing on the third study which has achieved its primary goal and provided a boost for the firm and the oral BTK inhibitor class.

Sanofi has announced that two studies – GEMINI 1 and 2 – evaluating tolebrutinib did not meet the primary endpoint of reducing annualized relapse rate (ARR), compared with the company's...

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