What Is Ozanimod?

Ozanimod also called RPC-1063, it is a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator being studied to treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

How Does Ozanimod Works?

Ozanimod works by entering the central nervous system (CNS) and binding to specific subtypes (S1P1R and S1P5R) of the sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor. The S1P receptor is found on the surface of specific immune cells called T cells and B cells that play a role in causing damage to the CNS in MS. By binding to the S1P receptor, ozanimod prevents these harmful immune cells – specifically B cells and T cells – from being activated and released from the lymph nodes and thymus gland into the blood circulation and, hence, the brain and spinal cord. Ozanimod is shown to reduce inflammation in animal models of MS.

What Is Ozanimod Used For?

❶ Relapsing-remitting MS. With relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), you have episodes of new or worsening symptoms, and then periods of very few or no MS symptoms.

❷ Active secondary progressive MS. With active secondary progressive disease (SPMS), your MS symptoms steadily become worse, and you no longer have periods with few or no MS symptoms. RRMS can progress to SPMS over time.

❸ Clinically isolated syndrome. Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) isn’t actually a form of MS. With CIS, you typically have symptoms similar to those of MS for 24 hours or longer. CIS doesn’t always progress to MS.

Ozanimod Side Effects

Ozanimod was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2020.Ozanimod is used only if you have a specific genotype. Your doctor will test you for this genotype.The most common adverse reactions are upper respiratory infection, hepatic transaminase elevation, orthostatic hypotension, urinary tract infection, back pain, and hypertension.

Reference

[1] Rasche L, Paul F: Ozanimod for the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2018 Dec;19(18):2073-2086. doi: 10.1080/14656566.2018.1540592. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

[2] FDA Approved Drug Products: Zeposia (ozanimod) oral capsules

[3] Tran JQ, Hartung JP, Olson AD, Mendzelevski B, Timony GA, Boehm MF, Peach RJ, Gujrathi S, Frohna PA: Cardiac Safety of Ozanimod, a Novel Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Modulator: Results of a Thorough QT/QTc Study. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2018 Mar;7(3):263-276. doi: 10.1002/cpdd.383. Epub 2017 Aug 7.

[4] Cohen J et al. Safety and efficacy of the selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator ozanimod in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RADIANCE): a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2016; 15(4): 373-81.

[5] Bristol Myers Squibb. (2020). Bristol Myers Squibb announces positive topline results from pivotal phase 3 True North trial evaluating Zeposia (ozanimod) in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis