Mar 3, 2021 9:55am Novartis presented positive study data at the sixth annual Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Forum from nurses and patients using its Kesimpta auto-injector pen for MS. (Novartis) Novartis nabbed FDA approval for Kesimpta to treat multiple sclerosis last year, but now it’s getting the thumbs-up from MS patients and nurses. Novartis presented study data at the sixth annual Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Forum in late February showing 84% preferred Kesimpta’s self-administration injector pen over rival administration methods. The kudos from a small, 130-participant study come as Novartis bids to make Kesimpta a first-treatment option. Kesimpta’s chief rival—Roche’s Ocrevus, which also works by targeting CD20-expressing B-cells—is an infusion treatment.