Roche's ocrelizumab meets primary and secondary endpoints in pivotal MS studies

Swiss drug major Roche (ROG: SIX) has announced positive results from two pivotal studies of ocrelizumab compared with interferon beta-1a in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis.

The studies, OPERA I and OPERA II met their primary and major secondary endpoints. Treatment with ocrelizumab significantly reduced the annualized relapsed rate over a two-year period compared with interferon beta-1a. It also reduced the progression of clinical disability compared with interferon beta-1a, as measured by MRI.

The incidence of adverse events associated with ocrelizumab was similar to interferon beta-1a in both studies, with the most common being mild-to-moderate infusion-related reactions. The incidence of serious adverse events was similar across both arms.