The fluctuating momentum in the race to bring the first oral MS pill to the market and to subsequently become the dominant second-line therapy, may have swung again today with encouraging two-year phase III data for Novartis’ candidate, FTY720 (fingolimod).

Earlier this year Merck KGaA’s cladribine (Movectro) stole a surprise march on FTY720 with positive pivotal clinical data and earlier than expected regulatory filings (Cladribine edges ahead of FTY720 in race for first oral MS therapy, January 23, 2009). Having previously favoured FTY720, the race has been turned on its head and analysts are now tipping cladribine to win the day (see table below). However, this latest data for FTY720, which importantly should soothe some of the safety concerns which have dogged the product for some time now, could cause another rethink as to which product will emerge victorious over the next few years.