Novartis' key multiple sclerosis product Gilenya gets approval in China

Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, it use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is categorized as rare disease in China with an estimated 30,000 MS patients in China. Gilenya is the 3^rd most prescribed MS disease modifying treatment worldwide. Today, Gilenya is widely recognized by doctors with over 283,000 patients treated with Gilenya to date.

Novartis is committed to bringing innovation to China and to reimagining care for patients. Entresto^® was approved in 2017. Following the approval of Cosentyx^® in March, Gilenya is the next key Novartis product approved from the list of urgently needed drugs in China.

"It is exciting news for MS patients in China that Gilenya has received fast approval. The approval of Gilenya and the upcoming regulatory review for Mayzent^® demonstrate our commitment to Chinese patients. We are proud that Gilenya already demonstrated its benefits to over 283,000 MS patients worldwide. We are committed to bringing innovation to China with our key brands Entresto, Cosentyx and now Gilenya." said Marie-France Tschudin, President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

"I am delighted that we can now offer Gilenya to doctors and patients in China. There is a considerable need for MS treatments in China and we strive to bring clinical benefit to many patients with multiple sclerosis and improve their quality of life," said Ingrid Zhang, President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals China.