Roche's Actemra is first biologic to be shown superior to MTX

New data reveals that Roche's Actemra (tocilizumab) is the first and only biologic drug to show superiority over the current standard-of-care in rheumatoid arthritis. Findings from two new international studies also presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress of Rheumatology, held in Paris, France, also show high remission rates in patients treated with the agent.

In data reported at the EULAR meeting, Actemra was superior to the current standard-of-care, methotrexate, by achieving a greater reduction of signs and symptoms of the disease (swollen and tender joints) at six months. This positive outcome makes Actemra the first and only biologic to have achieved superiority over MTX. Furthermore, nearly three times as many patients treated with Actemra achieved disease remission (as defined by the globally recognized measure DAS28 less than 2.6), the ultimate goal of treatment in this currently-incurable condition. The outcome is significant as RA is a debilitating long-term disease and current medicines give little hope of remission or cure, therefore such new treatment options are needed.

The AMBITION study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Actemra (8mg/kg) versus MTX in those with active RA. It showed that significantly more patients receiving the drug achieved a 20% improvement in their symptoms (ACR20: 70% vs 53%) after 24 weeks. No previous biologic therapy has demonstrated superiority compared to MTX in this important clinical parameter at week-24, Roche noted.