Key Takeaways
- Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) is an FDA-approved infusion therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary progressive MS.
- It works by targeting CD20, a protein on certain B cells involved in the immune response that damages the nervous system in MS.
- After a starting dose, Briumvi is given as a 1-hour infusion just twice a year, one of the shorter infusion schedules among MS therapies.
- Clinical trials found lower relapse rates with Briumvi compared with an oral MS medication, though individual results vary.
- Other biologic MS treatments include Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), Tysabri (natalizumab), and Kesimpta (ofatumumab), although each works differently or follows a different treatment schedule.
- Smart Infusion Therapy Services administers Briumvi across Wisconsin, and patients can talk to their provider about a referral to learn if it may be right for them.
What Is Briumvi?
The short answer: Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) is an infusion medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2022 to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults. It is part of a class of medications called anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, which work by targeting specific immune cells believed to drive MS relapses and lesion activity.
Being diagnosed with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) often comes with a flood of new terminology and treatment decisions. Briumvi is one of several infusion-based options a neurologist may discuss, along with therapies such as Ocrevus and Tysabri. Understanding the basics can make that conversation easier to follow.
Conditions Briumvi Treats
Briumvi is approved to treat relapsing forms of MS, which includes:
- Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS): A first episode of neurological symptoms suggestive of MS.
- Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): The most common form of MS, marked by periods of new or worsening symptoms followed by partial or full recovery.
- Active secondary progressive MS (SPMS): A later stage of MS that still shows relapse activity alongside gradual progression.
A neurologist confirms the specific type of MS through clinical evaluation, MRI imaging, and other testing before recommending a treatment plan.
How Briumvi Works
Briumvi targets a protein called CD20, found on the surface of certain B cells, a type of white blood cell. In MS, these B cells contribute to the immune-driven inflammation that damages myelin, the protective covering around nerve fibers. By binding to CD20, Briumvi triggers a process that depletes these B cells, which may help reduce the inflammatory activity that leads to relapses and new brain lesions.
Briumvi is described in clinical literature as a glycoengineered monoclonal antibody, a design intended to enhance how effectively it targets these B cells compared with earlier antibody therapies.
Briumvi is not the only MS therapy that targets CD20. Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) and Kesimpta (ofatumumab) also target CD20-positive B cells. Ocrevus is available as an infusion therapy, while Kesimpta is given by subcutaneous injection. A neurologist may compare these options based on disease activity, treatment goals, medical history, and dosing preferences.
How Briumvi Helps Manage Relapsing MS
Reducing B-cell activity is thought to help calm the underlying immune response that drives multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses. In the phase 3 ULTIMATE I and II trials, Briumvi was associated with a lower annualized relapse rate compared with teriflunomide, an oral MS medication, along with fewer active lesions seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results vary from patient to patient, and your neurologist can help set realistic expectations based on your specific case and MS history.
Briumvi Dosing and What to Expect
One thing that sets Briumvi apart from some other MS infusion therapies is its schedule:
| Visit | Dose | Infusion Time |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 150 mg | About 4 hours |
| Day 15 | 450 mg | About 1 hours |
| Every 24 weeks after | 450 mg | About 1 hours |
After the two starting doses, most patients receive a single 1-hour infusion every 24 weeks. That is a shorter time commitment than some other infusion-based MS therapies require, which can make ongoing treatment easier to fit into a regular routine.
Treatment schedules differ across biologic therapies. For example, Ocrevus also uses maintenance dosing about every six months, while Tysabri is generally administered every four weeks. Kesimpta follows an injection schedule rather than an infusion schedule.
Who May Be a Candidate for Briumvi
Briumvi is approved for adults with relapsing forms of MS. A neurologist typically considers factors such as:
- The specific type and activity level of MS
- Prior MS treatments and how well they worked
- Overall health and any other medical conditions
- Personal preferences around infusion frequency and visit length
- Whether another disease-modifying therapy, such as Ocrevus, Tysabri, or Kesimpta, may better match the patient's clinical needs
Only a neurologist familiar with your full medical history can determine whether Briumvi is an appropriate option.
Treatment Basics Patients Should Know
- Monitoring during infusions: Because infusion reactions are a known side effect, patients are monitored during treatment, especially with the first few doses.
- Vaccination timing: Since Briumvi affects certain immune cells, your care team may recommend completing vaccinations before starting therapy.
- Ongoing lab work: Periodic bloodwork helps your care team track your response and watch for any changes.
- Consistency matters: Keeping to the 24-week infusion schedule helps maintain the treatment's intended effect.
How Smart Infusion Therapy Services Supports Briumvi Patients
Smart Infusion's neurology infusion programs include Briumvi and other MS therapies, administered in a private outpatient setting rather than a hospital infusion suite.
Depending on a patient's prescribed treatment plan, other MS infusion therapies may include medications such as Ocrevus or Tysabri. Many patients appreciate the more personal pace, along with easier scheduling around a twice-yearly infusion. The clinic team helps coordinate insurance verification, prior authorization, and communication with your neurologist so your care stays aligned across visits.
Talk to Your Provider About a Referral to Smart Infusion
Starting a new MS treatment can feel like a big step, and understanding how a therapy works is often the best place to begin. Briumvi offers a twice-yearly infusion option for many people with relapsing MS, backed by clinical data showing reduced relapse activity compared with an oral comparator.
Your neurologist can also explain how Briumvi compares with other biologic MS therapies, including Ocrevus, Tysabri, and Kesimpta, and which approach best fits your diagnosis and treatment goals.
If you and your neurologist are considering Briumvi, talk to your provider about a referral to Smart Infusion Therapy Services for infusion care across Wisconsin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which MS infusion therapy is best?
There is no single best infusion therapy for every patient with MS. Options like Briumvi, Ocrevus, and Tysabri work in different ways and follow different schedules. The right choice depends on your MS type, disease activity, treatment history, and personal preferences, so your neurologist is best positioned to help you decide.
How often is Briumvi given?
After two starting doses on day 1 and day 15, Briumvi is given as a single infusion approximately every 24 weeks, or about twice a year. Each of these follow-up infusions typically takes about an hour.
What are the most common Briumvi side effects?
The most commonly reported side effects include infusion-related reactions and upper respiratory infections. Infusion reactions can happen during or up to 24 hours after treatment, which is why patients are monitored, especially during early doses. Your care team will review the full list of potential side effects before starting treatment.
Are there infusion clinics in Wisconsin that offer Briumvi?
Yes. Smart Infusion Therapy Services offers infusion clinics in Eau Claire, Wausau, Madison, and Onalaska, Wisconsin, including Briumvi and other neurology infusion therapies.
