Genentech, Inc., a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG;
OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that the company submitted a supplemental
Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for ACTEMRA® (tocilizumab) for the
prevention of structural joint damage (as assessed by radiograph) and
improvement in physical function in adults with moderately to severely
active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ACTEMRA was approved by the FDA on
January 8, 2010 as the first interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor-inhibiting
monoclonal antibody to treat RA in adult patients after an inadequate
response to at least one other medicine called a tumor necrosis factor
(TNF) antagonist.
“These data suggest that in addition to reducing the painful signs and
symptoms of RA, ACTEMRA inhibits the progression of the disease by
reducing long-term joint damage and improves physical function which are
important goals of treating this chronic, debilitating disease”