---
title: "The future of multiple sclerosis: Progression focused therapies and RWE"
description: Explore the evolving landscape of multiple sclerosis treatment, focusing on progression-directed therapies and the impact of real-world data on patient outcomes.
image: https://blog.healthverity.com/hubfs/New%20HV%20Blogs%20July%202026/The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20Progression%20focused%20therapies%20and%20real%20world%20evidence.webp
---

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# The future of multiple sclerosis: Progression focused therapies and RWE

[By - HealthVerity,](https://blog.healthverity.com/author/healthverity)  August 19, 2026

![The future of multiple sclerosis care: Progression focused therapies and real world evidence](https://blog.healthverity.com/hubfs/New%20HV%20Blogs%20July%202026/The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20Progression%20focused%20therapies%20and%20real%20world%20evidence.webp)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS) and can lead to significant disability over time. It remains the most common inflammatory neurological condition worldwide and in the United States alone, approximately one million people are living with MS.

Decades of drug development has yielded substantial advancements in suppressing inflammatory relapses, particularly for patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS). However, focus has increasingly shifted towards slowing or preventing disability progression, especially in progressive forms of MS. This transition has important implications for pharmaceutical innovation, clinical development strategies, and health economics modeling—areas now increasingly shaped by [real-world data](https://www.iconplc.com/solutions/real-world-intelligence/symphony-health/integrated-dataverse-and-source-solutions) (RWD).

## Demographics of newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients

Real-world claims data from Symphony Health Integrated Dataverse (IDV), now available through [HealthVerity Marketplace](https://healthverity.com/marketplace/), highlight patients newly diagnosed with MS across age, sex, and ethnicity.

![The future of multiple sclerosis care -1](https://blog.healthverity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20HV%20Blogs%20July%202026/The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20-1.webp?width=1920&height=1080&name=The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20-1.webp)

MS is most frequently diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 59, with peak incidence observed in individuals aged 40–59.

![The future of multiple sclerosis care -2](https://blog.healthverity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20HV%20Blogs%20July%202026/The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20-2.webp?width=1920&height=1080&name=The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20-2.webp)

Females represent nearly three-quarters of newly diagnosed MS patients, reinforcing the well-established sex disparity observed in MS epidemiology.

![The future of multiple sclerosis care -3](https://blog.healthverity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20HV%20Blogs%20July%202026/The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20-3.webp?width=1920&height=1080&name=The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20-3.webp)

While the majority of newly diagnosed patients are Caucasian, MS affects individuals across all racial and ethnic groups, underscoring the importance of inclusive research and treatment access.

## Multiple sclerosis disease forms and clinical courses

MS is a heterogeneous disease characterized by clinical courses that are defined by how and when neurological damage accumulates.

- Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS): CIS represents the first clinical episode suggestive of MS, lasting at least 24 hours and driven by CNS inflammation and demyelination. Early diagnosis can help delay or prevent subsequent disease activity.
- Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS): RRMS is marked by acute recurring relapses followed by periods of recovery and accounts for approximately 85% of initial MS diagnoses.
- Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS): SPMS develops following an initial relapsing course, with gradual disability progression occurring with or without relapses. Without treatment, around half of RRMS patients transition to SPMS within 10–20 years.
- Primary Progressive MS (PPMS): PPMS is characterized by a steady and gradual worsening of disability from disease onset and represents 10–15% of MS cases.

## ICD-10 subtype codes and a new era of real-world data precision

Historically, claims data lacked the granularity to differentiate MS disease forms, as all patients were coded under a single ICD-10 code (G35). In October 2025, new ICD-10 codes enable clear identification of RRMS, PPMS, and SPMS subtypes, including active and non-active disease states.

![The future of multiple sclerosis care -4](https://blog.healthverity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20HV%20Blogs%20July%202026/The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20-4.webp?width=1920&height=1080&name=The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20-4.webp)

Although adoption will take time, these codes mark a pivotal step forward for real-world evidence generation, allowing more accurate assessment of treatment patterns, outcomes, and safety signals across distinct MS forms.

## The evolution of MS treatments: From relapse-focused to progression-directed strategies

### Early Therapeutic Landscape: Relapse Suppression as the Initial Priority

Given the predominance of RRMS at diagnosis, early MS drug development focused on reducing relapse rates and MRI activity of new or enlarging lesions, reflecting CNS inflammation. This led to the development of multiple disease-modifying treatments, including:

- Platform injectable therapies (e.g. interferons, glatiramer acetate)
- Oral therapies (e.g. fumarates, S1P receptor modulators)
- Biologics (e.g. anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies)

Despite these advances, treatment options for progressive MS remained limited, as disability progression often occurs independently of relapse activity.

## Breakthrough approvals in progressive multiple sclerosis

Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus®) became the first therapy approved for PPMS in 2017, representing a major milestone for this underserved population. A subcutaneous formulation, approved in 2024, has further improved treatment flexibility.

Some RRMS therapies have since expanded into active SPMS; however, treatment options for progressive disease remain constrained, particularly for non-active progression, reinforcing the need for novel therapeutic mechanisms.

## Emergence of Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (BTKi)

Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (BTKi) represent a promising shift toward therapies capable of targeting compartmentalised CNS inflammation, including microglial activation, which is a suspected driver of progression beyond relapses. As oral agents, BTKis may also improve patient adherence, reduce infusion burden, and expand treatment accessibility. There is currently a race for which BTKi will be the first approved for MS.

Fenebrutinib is a CNS-penetrant BTKi being studied for the treatment of PPMS and RRMS. Results of a phase III trial were released in February 2026, where fenebrutinib demonstrated non-inferiority to ocrelizumab and reduced disability progression risk by 12%, with differences showing up at 24 weeks. In April 2026  results from two phase III studies showed fenebrutinib significantly reduced relapses compared to teriflunomide to approximately one every 17 years.

Orelabrutinib is another BTKi being developed for PPMS and SPMS. Early results showed strong phase II efficacy in RRMS, demonstrating significant reductions in new brain lesions. Orelabrutinib is now progressing into global phase III trials for PPMS and SPMS.

Tolebrutinib initially showed wide applicability across RRMS, SPMS, and PPMS; however, regulatory setbacks have been faced due to liver safety concerns and the lack of an established favourable benefit-risk profile in the US. Tolebrutinib as Cenrifki® has been approved outside the US for SPMS.

## Real World Data (RWD) insights: Treatment initiation trends

Analysis of open claims data from 2021 to 2025 reveals a clear shift in first-line treatment patterns among newly diagnosed MS patients.

![The future of multiple sclerosis care -5](https://blog.healthverity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20HV%20Blogs%20July%202026/The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20-5.webp?width=1920&height=1080&name=The%20future%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis%20care%20-5.webp)

Biologics have become increasingly dominant, driven largely by anti-CD20 antibodies. By 2025, nearly two-thirds of newly diagnosed patients initiated treatment with a biologic, while use of oral therapies and platform injectables steadily declined.

Notably, anti-CD20 therapies accounted for 49% of all first-line treatments across modalities.

## Looking ahead: Progression, precision and real-world evidence

The MS treatment landscape has evolved from a primary focus on inflammatory relapse suppression towards addressing disability progression in SPMS and PPMS. Anti-CD20 biologics remain foundational, while emerging oral therapies have the potential to reshape clinical practice, patient preferences, and payer dynamics.

The introduction of MS-specific ICD-10 subtype codes in October 2025 represents a transformative moment for real-world evidence, enabling more precise, form-specific insights. Together, therapeutic innovation and improved data granularity position the field for a new era of understanding, with the ultimate goal of improving long-term outcomes for people living with MS.

With new MS subtype codes and an evolving treatment paradigm, the demand for precise, real-world insight has never been greater. Symphony Health, a HealthVerity company, provides industry-leading data, analytics, and expertise to help life sciences teams understand treatment patterns, patient journeys, and outcomes at scale. Discover how real-world evidence can power the next generation of MS innovation.

To learn more about how we can support your RWD strategy, [connect with us today](https://healthverity.com/integration-contact/).

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