New OCREVUS (ocrelizumab) data at AAN demonstrate significant reductions in disease activity and disability progression in relapsing multiple sclerosis
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that new OCREVUS (ocrelizumab) data were presented at the 70th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting from 21-27 April in Los Angeles, California. The data showcase the efficacy of OCREVUS in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) through several measures of underlying disease activity and disability progression, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cognitive function, and spinal fluid biomarkers of inflammation and neurodegeneration. 
Pfizer Inc. has initiated a Phase 1b clinical trial for its mini-dystrophin gene therapy candidate, PF-06939926, in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The first boy received an infusion of the mini-dystrophin gene on March 22nd, administered under the supervision of principal investigator, Edward Smith, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Duke University Medical Center. 
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Danish Red Cross (DRC) and Novo Nordisk today announced a partnership to tackle the growing issue of chronic diseases that affect millions of people living in humanitarian crises around the world. 
Novartis announces a five-year commitment to the fight against malaria in conjunction with the 7th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria Conference and the Malaria Summit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. Further, the company releases new African research on progress and remaining challenges toward the 2030 malaria elimination targets, together with Elimination 8 and the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust program. 
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) have announced an academic collaboration with the University of Oxford. EMPA-KIDNEY will investigate the effects of empagliflozin on the progression of kidney disease and the occurrence of cardiovascular death, in people with established chronic kidney disease with and without diabetes. 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) today announced a worldwide collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Janssen) on a Factor XIa (FXIa) inhibitor program that includes the development and commercialization of Bristol-Myers Squibb's Factor XIa (FXIa) inhibitor, BMS-986177, an investigational anticoagulant compound being studied for prevention and treatment of major thrombotic conditions.