Commentary|Videos|March 15, 2024

Consistent Real-World Efficacy of Ofatumumab Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis: Jason Freeman, MD, MBA

Author(s)Jason Freeman, MD, MBA

The medial director of Novartis talked about findings from a real-world study assessing ofatumumab treatment for multiple sclerosis presented at the 2024 ACTRIMS Forum. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

WATCH TIME: 3 minutes

“Sometimes there's pushback in the community to say that [ofatumumab] worked in a clinical trial but let's see what happens when you get to patients who are just out there in the community. I think this is part of that evidence that says to your average clinician that [the treatment] not only works in that very controlled environment, but it can work just about anywhere.”

Ofatumumab (Kesimpta; Novartis), an FDA-approved anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing incidence of relapse for multiple sclerosis (MS) in prior research. In a new retrospective cohort study using U.S. administrative claims data, findings showed that ofatumumab reduced the incidence of relapses among a real-world sample of patients with MS, which was consistent with the treatment’s strong efficacy displayed in previous clinical trials.¹ These results on real-world data suggest ofatumumab’s efficacy in reducing relapse can be applied to a broader population of patients with MS outside of clinical trials.

These findings were presented at the 2024 Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum, February 29 to March 2, by lead author Ming-Hui (Mindy) Tai, PhD, director of health economics and outcomes research at Novartis. Investigators divided the study period into a 12-month pre- and at least 12-month post-index period. Annualized relapse rate was assessed using negative binomial regression with an offset for person-years and compared between the pre- and post-index periods. In the pre-index period, 45% and 23% of the patients included (n = 342) received low- and high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMT), respectively, while 33% did not receive any DMT.

Jason Freeman, MD, MBA, a neurologist and medical director at Novartis, sat down with NeurologyLive® at the forum to further discuss the results from this presented analysis. He talked about how patients with MS, including those who were naive to the therapy, responded to ofatumumab in the real-world study. He also spoke about the key findings regarding the reduction in annualized relapse rates across different patient cohorts. In addition, Freeman shared his insight on the study in what it provides for clinicians concerned about the therapy's effectiveness outside of clinical trial settings.

Click here for more coverage of ACTRIMS 2024.

REFERENCES
1. Tai M, Shao Q, Brown B, Taiji R, Kyle R, Gadkari A. Real-World Change in Annualized Relapse Rate Following Initiation of Ofatumumab in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. Presented at ACTRIMS Forum 2024; February 29 to March 2; West Palm Beach, Florida. P489.

Newsletter

Keep your finger on the pulse of neurology—subscribe to NeurologyLive for expert interviews, new data, and breakthrough treatment updates.

Related Articles

2025 Women in Neurology Conference: Educating, Mentoring, and Networking
September 15th 2025
This Week on NeurologyLive® — September 15, 2025
September 15th 2025
10 Years of the Women Neurologists Group: A Preview of the 4th Annual Conference
September 14th 2025
NeurologyLive® Brain Games: September 14, 2025
September 14th 2025
MDA and PPMD Release Consensus Guidelines for Safe and Equitable Use of Gene Therapy in Duchenne
September 13th 2025
DORAs Carry Lower Real-World Abuse, New Phase 3 Argus Data, RAP-219 Meets Primary End Point
September 13th 2025

Latest CME

Carolina Neuromuscular Disease Summit

In-Person + Virtual Event

Carolina Neuromuscular Disease Summit

September 27, 2025

SimulatEd™ From Discomfort to Relief: Acute Pain Management Essentials

Case-based Simulation

SimulatEd™ From Discomfort to Relief: Acute Pain Management Essentials

Jeff Gudin, MD

Clinical ShowCase: Developing a Personalized Treatment Plan for a Patient with Huntington’s Disease Associated Chorea

Clinical ShowCase: Developing a Personalized Treatment Plan for a Patient with Huntington’s Disease Associated Chorea

Daniel Claassen, MD, MS; Martha A. Nance, MD

Evolving Perspectives in Alzheimer's Disease: Reaching an Earlier Diagnosis, Understanding Neuroinflammation, and Exploring Therapeutic Advances

Evolving Perspectives in Alzheimer's Disease: Reaching an Earlier Diagnosis, Understanding Neuroinflammation, and Exploring Therapeutic Advances

Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Erik S. Musiek, MD, PhD; Malú Gámez Tansey, PhD

Putting the Patient First in Acute Pain Management: The PA’s Guide to Incorporating Cutting-Edge Science into their Treatment Strategies

In-Person + Virtual Event

Putting the Patient First in Acute Pain Management: The PA’s Guide to Incorporating Cutting-Edge Science into their Treatment Strategies

October 9, 2025

4th Women in Neurology Conference

In-Person Event

4th Women in Neurology Conference

October 24-26, 2025

Medical Crossfire® - Optimizing Management for Patients With Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Focus on Complement Inhibitors

Medical Crossfire® - Optimizing Management for Patients With Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Focus on Complement Inhibitors

James F. Howard Jr, MD; Nicholas J. Silvestri, MD, FAAN; Neelam Goyal, MD

Medical Crossfire®: Integrating Real-World Data to Improve Outcomes for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Medical Crossfire®: Integrating Real-World Data to Improve Outcomes for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Carrie M. Hersh, DO, MSc, FAAN; Anna Shah, MD

Community Practice Connections™: Optimizing the Management of Tardive Dyskinesia—Addressing the Complexity of Care With Targeted Treatment

Community Practice Connections™: Optimizing the Management of Tardive Dyskinesia—Addressing the Complexity of Care With Targeted Treatment

Ilan Melnick, MD; Alejandro Alva, MD; Linda Trinh, DNP, PMHNP, FNP, MPH

Burst CME™: The Patient Journey – Unmet Needs From Diagnosis Through Management of Migraine

Burst CME™: The Patient Journey – Unmet Needs From Diagnosis Through Management of Migraine

Jessica Ailani, MD, FAHS, FAAN; Paul G. Mathew, MD, DNBPAS, FAAN, FAHS

Burst CME™: Optimizing Migraine Management – Addressing Unmet Needs, Individualizing Care for Diverse Populations, and Utilizing CGRP Targeted Agents

Burst CME™: Optimizing Migraine Management – Addressing Unmet Needs, Individualizing Care for Diverse Populations, and Utilizing CGRP Targeted Agents

Jessica Ailani, MD, FAHS, FAAN; Paul G. Mathew, MD, DNBPAS, FAAN, FAHS

Burst CME™: Setting the Stage – Individualizing Migraine Care for Diverse Populations Across Care Settings

Burst CME™: Setting the Stage – Individualizing Migraine Care for Diverse Populations Across Care Settings

Jessica Ailani, MD, FAHS, FAAN; Paul G. Mathew, MD, DNBPAS, FAAN, FAHS

Evolving Perspectives in Alzheimer Disease : Reaching an Earlier Diagnosis, Understanding Neuroinflammation, and Exploring Therapeutic Advances

Evolving Perspectives in Alzheimer Disease : Reaching an Earlier Diagnosis, Understanding Neuroinflammation, and Exploring Therapeutic Advances

Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Erik S. Musiek, MD, PhD; Malú Gámez Tansey, PhD

Burst CME™: Optimizing the Use of CGRP Targeted Agents for the Treatment of Migraine

Burst CME™: Optimizing the Use of CGRP Targeted Agents for the Treatment of Migraine

Jessica Ailani, MD, FAHS, FAAN; Paul G. Mathew, MD, DNBPAS, FAAN, FAHS

Expert Illustrations & Commentaries™: Visualizing the Role of B Cells as Therapeutic Targets for Generalized Myasthenia Gravis

Expert Illustrations & Commentaries™: Visualizing the Role of B Cells as Therapeutic Targets for Generalized Myasthenia Gravis

October 31, 2025

Cases and Conversations™: Applying Best Practices to Prevent Shingles in Your Practice

Cases and Conversations™: Applying Best Practices to Prevent Shingles in Your Practice

Paul G. Auwaerter, MD, MBA; Paul P. Doghramji, MD, FAAFP; Aruna Subramanian, MD

Patient, Provider, and Caregiver Connection™: Pediatric Myasthenia Gravis—Current Treatment and Emerging Concepts

Patient, Provider, and Caregiver Connection™: Pediatric Myasthenia Gravis—Current Treatment and Emerging Concepts

John F. Brandsema, MD; Abigail N. Schwaede, MD; Samuel J. Mackenzie, MD, PhD

Mind Moments™: Optimizing Management for Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis

Mind Moments™: Optimizing Management for Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis

James F. Howard Jr, MD

Cases and Conversations™: Navigating the Complexities of Managing Myasthenia Gravis in Pediatric and Pregnant Patient Populations

Cases and Conversations™: Navigating the Complexities of Managing Myasthenia Gravis in Pediatric and Pregnant Patient Populations

John Brandsema, MD; Neelam Goyal, MD

Identifying and Treating CIDP in the Modern Era

Identifying and Treating CIDP in the Modern Era

Jeffrey A. Allen, MD; Karissa L. Gable, MD

Cases and Conversations™: Little Voices, Big Challenges – Comprehensive Care for Pediatric Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Cases and Conversations™: Little Voices, Big Challenges – Comprehensive Care for Pediatric Spinal Muscular Atrophy

John Brandsema, MD; Carla D. Zingariello, DO

A Breath of Strength: Managing Cancer Associated LEMS and Lung Cancer as One

A Breath of Strength: Managing Cancer Associated LEMS and Lung Cancer as One

Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH; Millie Das, MD; Ruham Nasany, MD

Striking the Right Nerve: Managing Cancer Associated LEMS in Lung Cancer Patients

Striking the Right Nerve: Managing Cancer Associated LEMS in Lung Cancer Patients

Anne Chiang, MD, PhD; J. Douglas Miles, MD, PhD, FAAN; Suma Satti, MD

Patient, Provider, and Caregiver Connection: Improving Diagnosis and Care for Adolescent Myasthenia Gravis Patients – A New Frontier

Patient, Provider, and Caregiver Connection: Improving Diagnosis and Care for Adolescent Myasthenia Gravis Patients – A New Frontier

Abigail N. Schwaede, MD; Emmanuelle (Noelle) Tiongson, MD

A New Era in NMOSD Treatment: Optimizing Therapeutic Transitions and Reducing Patient Burden

A New Era in NMOSD Treatment: Optimizing Therapeutic Transitions and Reducing Patient Burden

Shamik Bhattacharyya, MD, MS, FAAN; Mirla Avila, MD; Dean Wingerchuk, MD

PER Podcast™: Maximizing the Multidisciplinary Care Outcomes of Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

PER Podcast™: Maximizing the Multidisciplinary Care Outcomes of Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Richard Bedlack, MD, PhD

PER Podcast™: Best Strategies for Approaching the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

PER Podcast™: Best Strategies for Approaching the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Terry Heiman-Patterson, MD

PER Postgame™: Updates from ANNA in the Management of IgA Nephropathy

PER Postgame™: Updates from ANNA in the Management of IgA Nephropathy

Gerald Bernard Appel, MD; Ellie Kelepouris, MD, FACP, FAHA

Patient, Provider, and Caregiver Connection: Turning a New Leaf in Acute Pain Management – How Recent Advancements Impact the Treatment Paradigm

Patient, Provider, and Caregiver Connection: Turning a New Leaf in Acute Pain Management – How Recent Advancements Impact the Treatment Paradigm

Jeffrey Gudin, MD; Jeffrey Bettinger, PharmD

Trending on NeurologyLive

MDA and PPMD Release Consensus Guidelines for Safe and Equitable Use of Gene Therapy in Duchenne

10 Years of the Women Neurologists Group: A Preview of the 4th Annual Conference

NeurologyLive® Brain Games: September 14, 2025

This Week on NeurologyLive® — September 15, 2025

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences^®

All rights reserved.