The Zhitong Finance App learned that data from an advanced trial by Sanofi (SNY.US) at a research conference held in Copenhagen on Friday showed that its BTK inhibitor tolebrutinib can slow disability progression by 31% in patients with non-recurrent secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

This data confirms the findings of a study published by Sanofi in early September. The company announced on September 2 that tolebrutinib reached a major end in the Hercules Phase III study — compared to placebo, the drug can effectively slow the progression of disability. And this is the first and only study showing a reduction in disability accumulation in non-recurrent secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

According to reports, there is currently no approved treatment for non-recurrent secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Robert Fox, vice chair of research at the Cleveland Clinic Institute of Neurology and consultant for the Sanofi trial, described the findings of the latest trial as a “huge breakthrough.” Sanofi plans to submit the drug to global regulators this year.

Bloomberg Intelligence analyst John Murphy said in a report that Tolebrutinib's success may bring Sanofi $1.7 billion in potential revenue, and could bring in $3.6 billion under the most optimistic circumstances.

However, tests showed that patients treated with Tolebrutinib had slightly more adverse events, the most worrying being elevated liver enzymes. Sanofi said in a statement that before the trial was more strictly monitored, one patient had to undergo a liver transplant and died due to complications after surgery.

Robert Fox said the researchers hope to control the occurrence of adverse events through close monitoring within the first 90 days of treatment. He said if the treatment is approved, patients will need to weigh the risks and benefits of the treatment with clinicians.