Roche treatment supported by study

Roche has highlighted a new study that proves the effectiveness of its MabThera treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Used as a first-line biologic solution for patients with the condition, the company said the data showed the drug could significantly reduce the progression of joint damage in cases where the sufferer is methotrexate-naive.

Conducted by analysts at Image and presented at the European League Against Rheumatism, it was noted that subjects experienced three times less damage after a year when given the treatment alongside methotrexate.

Professor Paul-Peter Tak, lead investigator of the study, said the results were strong and reflected MabThera’s effectiveness as an RA solution.

"These robust data add to the wealth of existing evidence for the use of MabThera across a broad range of RA patients and give us a great new option to prevent joint damage in the early stages of the disease," he added.

Roche recently revealed new data that reinforced the long-term efficacy of its Actmera RA treatment.