The year 2020 will be remembered for virtual visits and virtual congresses. It was also a year of the Food and Drug Administration adopting what might be termed virtual evidence-based medicine (EBM).
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Ozanimod vs. fingolimod: is there a difference?
November 13, 2020A new analysis suggests that ozanimod (Zeposia) may have a better safety profile than fingolimod despite being similar agents (Swallow et al. J Comp Eff Res 2020;9:275-285). Both drugs are sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonists that act as functional antagonists, sequestering T cells in secondary lymphoid organs. Fingolimod acts on S1PR-1,3,4,5, whereas ozanimod (like siponimod) is selective to S1PR1,5. Ozanimod was approved in Canada for the treatment of relapsing MS in October 2020.
B cell-directed therapies in MS – POST-ECTRIMS SPECIAL REPORT
October 23, 2020Part 2
Two anti-CD20 therapies (rituximab, ocrelizumab) are currently used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and one, ofatumumab, is in late-stage development. Part 1 of this series examined the role of B cells in MS (see Update on B cells in MS pathophysiology, NeuroSens, June 29, 2020). Part 2 will summarize the data on the use of anti-CD20 agents in MS. Read More
COVID-19 vaccine – what Canada has bought
October 15, 2020The Government of Canada has now made six deals to acquire COVID-19 vaccines currently in development. The deals secure about 280 million doses (most vaccines will require 2 injections) at an estimated cost of $1 billion (Harris K. CBC, 25 September 2020). Monies paid are to ensure a supply of vaccine and will not be fully refunded if the vaccines are ineffective or fail to receive Health Canada approval (Canadian Press, 22 September 2020). All of the vaccines are in late-stage development but none has yet demonstrated efficacy.