Novartis says remibrutinib, its experimental multiple sclerosis (MS) drug, could generate more than $4 billion in peak annual sales, even though Barclays recently cut its peak sales forecast after late-stage trials showed it reduced relapses by less than analysts expected. The drug belongs to the BTK inhibitor class and aims to regulate immune cell activity rather than eliminate cells, unlike Kesimpta, an anti-CD20 antibody. University of Pennsylvania MS specialist Amit Bar-Or said its safety profile looks promising but it is unlikely to control relapses as effectively as Kesimpta, and its biggest market-expansion opportunity could come from trials in progressive MS, with a readout expected in 2031. Morningstar analyst Jay Lee said the $4 billion-plus forecast is 'within the realm of possibility' but not de-risked. Meanwhile, the market is already looking to the next patent cliff around 2032 for Kisqali and Kesimpta, whose expiries alone represent $18 billion in peak sales.
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