Oral MS Therapy Results Represent "Shifting Tide"

LONDON, January 20 - Following the results of data from trials of two different
oral therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS), fingolimod and cladribine, set to
be reported online in the New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday 21
January, the MS Society has prepared the following statement:

Dr Doug Brown, Biomedical Research Manager at the MS Society,
said: "This is great news for people with MS and signifies a shifting tide in
the treatment of the condition.

"Availability of oral therapies will give people greater
choice and being able to take a tablet instead of unpleasant injections will
come as welcome relief.

"The evidence is now there and we will be working with the
relevant authorities to make sure those who will benefit can get access."

    Notes to Editors:

    - The MS Society (www.mssociety.org.uk) is the UK's
      largest charity dedicated to supporting everyone whose life is touched
      by multiple sclerosis (MS), providing respite care, an award-winning
      freephone helpline (0808-800-8000), specialist MS nurses and funding
      more than 80 vital MS research projects in the UK.
    - MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting
      young adults and an estimated 100,000 people in the UK have MS.
    - MS is the result of damage to myelin - the protective sheath
      surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system – which
      interferes with messages between the brain and the body.
    - For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and
      remission while for others it has a progressive pattern.
    - Symptoms range from loss of sight and mobility, fatigue,
      depression and cognitive problems. There is no cure and few effective
      treatments.

Contact the MS Society Press Office on +44(0)20-8438-0840, or the out of hours duty press officer on +44(0)7909-851401.