Clinical trial Recruiting at 128 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 40 to 70

Remibrutinib after switching from ocrelizumab for relapsing multiple sclerosis

Official title: A Randomized, Open-label, Parallel-group, Non-inferiority Study Comparing Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Remibrutinib After Switching From Ocrelizumab in Participants Living With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis, Followed by Open-label Treatment With Remibrutinib

Run by Novartis · NCT06846281 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study will see if remibrutinib, a daily oral BTK inhibitor, keeps relapsing MS under control in people switching from ocrelizumab compared with continuing ocrelizumab.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages40 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
Enrollment400 (estimated)
SponsorNovartis
Industry-sponsored
Drugs / interventionsocrelizumab, remibrutinib
Locations131 sites (Scottsdale, Arizona and 130 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 23, 2025
Main results expectedJuly 25, 2029
Study endsJune 25, 2031
Registry record updatedOctober 26, 2026
Trial IDNCT06846281 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 40–70 with relapsing MS (2017 McDonald criteria) who are currently treated with ocrelizumab, neurologically stable, and judged suitable by their physician to switch.

Probably not a fit

Patients with primary progressive MS, active significant infections, prior PML, other major immune or cardiac diseases, or those unable to undergo MRI are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from switching in this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, open-label, phase 3b non-inferiority study randomizes people with relapsing MS who are being treated with ocrelizumab to either switch to oral remibrutinib or continue standard-dose ocrelizumab. The Core Part follows participants for up to 24 months to collect efficacy, safety and tolerability data, and eligible participants may join a 24-month open-label extension where all receive remibrutinib. Key inclusion criteria include age 40–70, a relapsing MS diagnosis by 2017 McDonald criteria, neurological stability, and suitability to switch from ocrelizumab, while key exclusions include primary progressive MS, active serious infections, prior PML, major immune or cardiac comorbidities, or inability to undergo MRI. The trial is conducted at multiple centers globally, including sites in the United States, and is sponsored by Novartis.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, remibrutinib could provide an effective oral alternative to infused ocrelizumab, improving convenience while maintaining disease control.

How similar studies have gone: Other BTK inhibitors and earlier-phase MS studies have shown encouraging MRI and relapse signals, but definitive phase 3 evidence that remibrutinib can substitute for ocrelizumab is still pending.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Key Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female aged 40 to 70 years (inclusive)
* Diagnosis of RMS according to the 2017 McDonald diagnostic criteria
* Treated with ocrelizumab according to routine clinical practice and at standard dose
* Neurologically stable within 30 days
* Suitable to be switched to remibrutinib based on physician judgement or patient preference

Key Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) according to the revised 2017 McDonald criteria
* History of clinically significant Central Nervous System disease or neurological disorders
* History of confirmed Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy or neurological symptoms consistent
* Active clinically significant systemic bacterial, viral, parasitic or fungal infections
* Active, chronic disease of the immune system other than MS
* Severe cardiac disease or significant findings on the ECG
* Participant who is unable to undergo MRI scans
* History of life-threatening infusion or injection reaction related to ocrelizumab
* Participants not adequately controlled on ocrelizumab (CD19+ B-cell count ≥10 cells/µL at screening)

Other inclusion and exclusion criteria may apply

Where it's running

  • Perseverance Research Center
    Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of California Irvine
    Irvine, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • Medstar Washington Hospital Center
    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Neurology of Central FL Res Ctr
    Altamonte Springs, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Florida
    Gainesville, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Memorial Healthcare System
    Hollywood, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
  • Neurology Associates PA
    Maitland, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Elite Clinical Research
    Miami, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Aqualane Clinical Research
    Naples, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Advent Health Orlando
    Orlando, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Orlando Health Clinical Trials
    Orlando, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Tallahassee Neurological Clinic
    Tallahassee, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • University Of South Florida
    Tampa, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Vero Beach Neurology
    Vero Beach, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Rush University Medical Center
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Chicago
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Kansas Hospital
    Kansas City, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
    Olney, Maryland, United States
    Recruiting
  • Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
    Burlington, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting
  • Neurology Center of New England PC
    Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting
  • Michigan Institute of Neurological
    Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • Memorial HC Ins for Neuroscience
    Owosso, Michigan, United States
    Recruiting
  • WA Uni School Of Med
    St Louis, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
    Recruiting
  • Holy Name Medical Center
    Teaneck, New Jersey, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of New Mexico
    Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
    Recruiting
  • SUNY Buffalo The Jacobs Neuro Inst
    Buffalo, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of North Carolina
    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Velocity Clinical Research
    Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Sanford Health
    Fargo, North Dakota, United States
    Recruiting
  • Premier Health
    Centerville, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Univ of Cincinnati Medical Center
    Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Cleveland, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Ohio Health Research Institute
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Providence Neurological Services West
    Portland, Oregon, United States
    Recruiting
  • Premier Neurology
    Greenville, South Carolina, United States
    Recruiting
  • Sibyl Wray MD Neurology PC
    Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
    Recruiting
  • Austin Regional Clinic
    Austin, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Univ of Texas Southwest Med Center
    Dallas, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • John Peter Smith Hospital
    Fort Worth, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Saturn Research Solutions LLC
    Plano, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
    Richmond, Virginia, United States
    Recruiting
  • Center for Neurological Disorders G
    Greenfield, Wisconsin, United States
    Recruiting
  • Medical College of Wisconsin
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Caba, Argentina
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Novartis Investigative Site
    Parkville, Victoria, Australia
    Recruiting

+81 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.