Genentech's Fenebrutinib Confirmed as Potential BTK Inhibitor for Relapsing and Primary MS

The drug shows promise in treating multiple sclerosis subtypes in late-stage clinical trials.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 6:31pm

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Genentech, a leading biotechnology company, has announced positive results from late-stage clinical trials of its investigational drug Fenebrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. The drug has demonstrated potential as the first and only BTK inhibitor for the treatment of relapsing and primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Why it matters

The development of new and effective treatments for MS, a chronic and debilitating neurological condition, is crucial. Fenebrutinib's ability to potentially address both relapsing and primary progressive forms of the disease could provide a much-needed therapeutic option for patients.

The details

Fenebrutinib works by selectively inhibiting the BTK enzyme, which plays a key role in the inflammatory processes associated with MS. The late-stage trials have shown that the drug can significantly reduce the number of new brain lesions and slow the progression of disability in patients with relapsing and primary progressive MS.

  • The late-stage clinical trials of Fenebrutinib were conducted in 2025.
  • Genentech announced the positive results from these trials on March 2, 2026.

The players

Genentech

A leading biotechnology company and a member of the Roche Group, known for developing innovative pharmaceutical and diagnostic products.

Fenebrutinib

Genentech's investigational Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor drug, which has shown promise in treating relapsing and primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.

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What they’re saying

“These positive results for Fenebrutinib in both relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis are very encouraging and represent an important step forward in addressing the unmet needs of people living with this debilitating disease.”

— Levi Garraway, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development at Genentech

What’s next

Genentech plans to submit regulatory applications for Fenebrutinib in the coming months, with the goal of making the drug available to patients as soon as possible.

The takeaway

The potential approval of Fenebrutinib as the first and only BTK inhibitor for the treatment of both relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis would be a significant breakthrough in the management of this complex and challenging neurological condition.