Late-stage MS trial fails to show added benefit for high-dose Ocrevus

Swiss pharma major Roche (ROG: SIX) said a higher-dose version of its top-selling multiple sclerosis drug Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) failed to deliver additional benefit in slowing disability progression, compared to the currently approved dose, in a Phase III trial.

The MUSETTE study evaluated the impact of a high dose of intravenous Ocrevus in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), but did not meet its primary endpoint. Roche reported that both dosing groups experienced low and consistent rates of disability progression.

Chief medical officer Levi Garraway said the data reaffirm that “the current Ocrevus IV 600mg is optimally dosed to significantly slow disability progression.” He also highlighted reduced relapse activity in the trial, noting that “a relapse occurred approximately once every 16 years, a first for an anti-CD20 RMS medicine.”