Merck KGaA said the phase 2b study of evobrutinib in relapsing multiple sclerosis met its main goal.
The German drugmaker said results from the clinical trial showed evobrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, reduced gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions — black holes in the central nervous system where there is relatively severe damage — in multiple sclerosis patients with worsening symptoms.
The reduction was measured at weeks 12, 16, 20 and 24 and compared to patients receiving placebo.
Multiple sclerosis is a potentially disabling nervous system disease that affects the communication of information between the brain and the body.
Merck is also conducting phase 2b studies of evobrutinib in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease.
