Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Like Ocrevus and Briumvi, it is an anti-CD20 therapy that targets certain B cells involved in the abnormal immune activity that occurs with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Kesimpta is a fully human monoclonal antibody. This means it is a lab-made antibody designed to closely match antibodies found in the human body. “Fully human” describes the medication’s structure and does not mean it is safer or more effective than other anti-CD20 therapies.
Your healthcare team will consider the type and stage of MS, previous treatment, infection risk, antibody levels, liver function, vaccination history, other health conditions, current medications, and pregnancy plans before deciding whether Kesimpta is an appropriate treatment for you.
Kesimpta may be prescribed for adults with relapsing forms of MS, including:
Kesimpta is used for long-term control of relapsing MS. It can help reduce future relapses and new MS activity, but it does not stop a relapse that has already started or directly relieve current symptoms.
Kesimpta targets certain B cells, which are part of the immune system. B cells normally help the body fight infections and build protection after vaccination. In MS, some B cells also take part in the immune attack that causes inflammation and damage in the brain and spinal cord.
Many of the B cells involved in this attack carry a protein called CD20. Anti-CD20 therapies attach to this protein and help the immune system remove these B cells. Decreasing the number of these cells reduces immune activity that can cause new RRMS damage.
Kesimpta is given as an injection under the skin.
Treatment begins with three weekly injections:
The first injection should be given under the guidance of a trained healthcare professional. After proper training, the patient or a caregiver can give Kesimpta at home.
Two large clinical trials compared Kesimpta with Aubagio, another disease-modifying therapy used for relapsing MS.
People taking Kesimpta had about 50% to 60% fewer relapses than people taking Aubagio. Kesimpta also reduced new or enlarging areas of MS activity seen on MRI.
When results from both studies were combined, people taking Kesimpta were also less likely to have worsening disability that continued for at least three or six months.
Researchers later analyzed the results by race and ethnicity. Among Black participants, 33.3% of those receiving Kesimpta achieved no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3), compared with 3.4% receiving Aubagio over 24 months. Kesimpta also showed greater NEDA-3 rates than Aubagio among Hispanic/Latino and White participants. Safety findings were generally similar across racial and ethnic groups, with no new or unexpected safety concerns identified.
Black people with MS may experience a more severe disease course than White people, including greater disability and, in some studies, earlier or more extensive involvement of the spinal cord and optic nerves.
At the same time, Black patients have historically been underrepresented in MS clinical trials. A review of Phase 3 MS treatment studies found that non-White patients were significantly underrepresented, making it harder to know whether clinical-trial results apply equally across populations.
That’s why the Kesimpta data are encouraging. Although the number of Black participants in the trials was relatively small, Kesimpta was associated with substantially higher rates of no evidence of disease activity, and the study found no new safety concerns specific to Black patients.
The study was not large enough to prove that Kesimpta works differently or better in Black patients. But it provides reassuring evidence that Kesimpta can effectively control MS disease activity in Black patients—and adds to the limited body of research focused on people who have historically been underrepresented in MS studies.
Injection-related reactions may include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, low energy, rash, or nausea. Injection-site reactions may cause redness or discoloration, swelling, itching, or pain where the medication was injected.
Seek immediate medical treatment for:
Serious risks associated with anti-CD20 therapy may include serious infections, severe injection reactions, low antibody levels, liver injury, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but serious brain infection.
Patients should contact their healthcare team about new or worsening symptoms, signs of infection, or reactions that are severe or do not improve.
During treatment, the healthcare team continues to monitor for infections, changes in antibody levels, liver problems, and reactions related to an injection or infusion. Treatment may be delayed when an active infection is present.
Patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis can find access to Kesimpta through several program options. Some of those programs may lower out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients with private insurance, provide Kesimpta temporarily while an eligible patient waits for an insurance coverage decision, or provide medication at no cost to eligible patients who are uninsured or have limited coverage. Learn more about savings and support for Kesimpta.
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking any drug or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
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