US neurologists' increased focus on Ocrevus positioning in relapsing forms of MS

Seven months post-launch, the clear majority of US neurologists (n=103) have initiated at least one patient on Roche (ROG: SIX) subsidiary Genentech's Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), with the brand share being boosted by uptake in both relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) patients, according to a new report from business intelligence firm Spherix Global Insights.

Reflecting the great unmet need for PPMS treatments and Ocrevus' first-in-class PPMS label, Ocrevus prescribers and non-prescribers do not differ in their sizeable and stable PPMS candidate pool estimates for the brand. However, neurologists now estimate that significantly more RRMS patients ─ up 50% compared to three months ago ─ are appropriate candidates for Ocrevus.

Consistent with prescribers' positive clinical experience in the RRMS patient subtype, Ocrevus prescribers are projecting a significantly greater RRMS candidate pool compared to non-prescribers. Genentech appears to be reinforcing the greater focus on relapsing forms of MS (RMS) with recently detailed neurologists recalling more discussion with sales representatives around Ocrevus use in patients refractory to other disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and surrounding the RMS indication compared to the previous quarter.