The molecule later named fingolimod proved to be the standout, significantly prolonging survival due to its immunosuppressant effect.

WSJ: How One MS Drug Got Its Start in Chinese Folklore

The FDA, which is expected to make a decision about fingolimod by September, doesn't have to follow the advice of the expert panel but usually does.

WSJ: How One MS Drug Got Its Start in Chinese Folklore

Fingolimod for MS has been approved, but the FDA has required that TEN different post-marketing studies be done looking at a variety of safety and outcome parameters.

FORBES: Is the FDA Approving Drugs Too Quickly?

But the company discovered that fingolimod had a powerful effect in multiple sclerosis, reducing the number of relapses in which patients may experience vision problems, fatigue, numbness and other symptoms.

WSJ: How One MS Drug Got Its Start in Chinese Folklore

Fingolimod has side effects that include reduced heart rate on the first day of dosing and, in rare cases, swelling in the eye, but the benefits of the drug outweighed the risks, the staff report said.

WSJ: How One MS Drug Got Its Start in Chinese Folklore

Health minister Earl Howe denied that cost was the prime consideration for NICE - the body that approves treatments for use by the NHS - in declining to license a new oral treatment for MS. He added some neurologists had concerns about the effects of using the drug Fingolimod.

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