Roche
Actemra studies against COVID-19 could be done this
month: NZZ
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[May 06, 2020]
ZURICH (Reuters) - Roche could complete
studies of its medicine Actemra in COVID-19 patients as early as this
month, the head of the Swiss drugmaker's U.S.-based Genentech unit told
a Swiss newspaper, as it seeks to repurpose the rheumatoid arthritis
drug.
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"We're testing all over the world and we've reached half of the
planned 330 patients, perhaps it will be more," said Alexander
Hardy, Genentech's head, in the interview with the Neue Zuercher
Zeitung published on Wednesday.
"We'll be finished in May or June. Parallel to that, we have 15
control studies worldwide. There are many questions: Does Actemra
help reduce the need for ventilators? When should Actemra be
administered? And which patient groups?"
Hardy acknowledged success would not solve the pandemic, but said it
could help reduce mortality and health problems and take the heat
off intensive care units where ventilators in some regions are in
high demand and where many COVID-19 patients who eventually need
breathing assistance die.
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Should the anti-inflammation drug Actemra -- beyond arthritis, it is also used
for cancer patients to counteract massive, life-threatening immune system
reactions called cytokine storms -- turn out to help, Hardy said Roche has
boosted its production from several hundred thousand doses to more than a
million.
"We're taking a big risk and expect that the studies will be positive," Hardy
told the newspaper. "If that's not the case, then we're going to have a
surplus."
In the former case, he sees demand for Actemra for COVID-19 peaking over the
next 12-18 months until a vaccine is available.
(Reporting by John Miller; Editing by Michael Shields)
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