Subcutaneous Actemra meets Phase III RA endpoint

Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) said subcutaneous Actemra tocilizumab given every two weeks met the primary endpoint of ACR20 response rate at week 24 vs. placebo in the Phase III BREVACTA trial to treat moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Additionally, Roche said that an analysis of x-ray results showed that patients who received subcutaneous Actemra were significantly less likely to have worsening joint damage at week 24 vs. placebo. The double-blind trial enrolled 656 patients who had an inadequate response to DMARD therapy. All patients continued to receive their stable dose of DMARD therapy throughout the trial. ...