Novartis (NVS) said Tuesday that phase 3 trials of remibrutinib showed significantly reduced annualized relapse rates compared with teriflunomide in adults with relapsing multiple sclerosis.

The trials met their primary endpoints and showed that remibrutinib was superior to teriflunomide on all key secondary measures.

A preplanned combined analysis also showed a positive trend in three month confirmed disability progression and nominally significant results for six month confirmed disability progression, Novartis said.

Remibrutinib also demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no liver safety signal, the company said.

Novartis shares were over 4% higher in Tuesday premarket activity.

Price: 158.47, Change: +6.41, Percent Change: +4.22