Thousands of people in England living with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) are set to benefit from a newly approved treatment on the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended natalizumab, a therapy administered every four weeks via infusion or injection.
RRMS is the most common form of multiple sclerosis and is characterized by episodes of symptom flare-ups. Natalizumab will be available for patients whose disease remains highly active despite other treatments or for those unable to use existing therapies.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective sheath surrounding nerves in the brain and spinal cord. This leads to inflammation and scarring, manifesting as symptoms such as vision problems, muscle weakness, fatigue, and balance difficulties.
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Natalizumab works by binding to immune cells, preventing them from crossing into the brain and spinal cord, thereby reducing inflammation.
According to NICE, approximately 123,000 people in England have MS, with around 43,000 diagnosed with RRMS at any given time.
Two forms of natalizumab have been approved for NHS use: Tysabri, produced by Biogen and administered as an injection, and Tyruko, developed by Sandoz and given as an infusion.
Helen Knight, Director of Medicines Evaluation at NICE, highlighted the significance of this recommendation: “Providing additional treatment options is vital for people managing a lifelong condition. It enables patients and their healthcare providers to choose the therapy that best suits their individual needs.”
Ceri Smith, Head of Policy at the MS Society, emphasized the importance of this advancement for women with MS planning pregnancy. “Natalizumab is a highly effective treatment, and its availability offers hope to those with highly active relapsing MS who have not responded to previous therapies. Importantly, natalizumab can be safely taken during pregnancy, unlike many other disease-modifying treatments.”
MS affects women at approximately three times the rate of men, according to NICE.
Professor Ruth Dobson, Centre Lead at the Centre of Preventive Neurology, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, welcomed the approval: “This decision provides timely access to a broader range of treatment options for individuals experiencing breakthrough MS activity, allowing them and their clinicians to select the most appropriate therapy without delay.”