Chugai receives backing for new RoActemra indication

Chugai has been granted a recommendation from a European Medicines Agency committee for a new indication of its rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment RoActemra.

The healthcare regulator’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has backed Chugai’s application for the drug to be approved as a treatment for reducing joint damage among RA patients.

This recommendation was based on findings from a recent two-year phase III study, which showed the efficacy of RoActemra in conjunction with methotrexate as a means of preventing damage.

Dr Hal Barron, executive vice-president of global development and chief medical officer at Chugai, said the CHMP ruling demonstrates RoActemra’s benefits as a “comprehensive RA treatment”.

He added: “The significant effect of RoActemra on joint damage will allow many patients to continue to enjoy their lives without the worsening disability usually associated with the disease.”

RoActemra has been earmarked by Chugai as an innovative new product which will support the company’s growth initiatives in the coming years, alongside Avastin, Xeloda and Mircera.