Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), announced today that the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) has approved Ocrevus Zunovo™ (ocrelizumab & hyaluronidase-ocsq) for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Ocrevus Zunovo is the first and only twice-a-year, healthcare professional (HCP)-administered approximately 10-minute subcutaneous (SC) injection approved for both these forms of multiple sclerosis, giving people living with MS more treatment options.
“Ocrevus Zunovo gives patients and providers another option for receiving Ocrevus, building on a decade of robust safety and efficacy data for Ocrevus in multiple sclerosis,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Genentech’s chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “Today’s approval may offer greater flexibility for healthcare providers and people living with multiple sclerosis, based on their individual treatment needs.”
“People are living longer with chronic illnesses and with fewer disabilities because of the extensive progress that has been made in the development of medicines that can slow their progression,” said Natalie Blake, Executive Director of the MS Foundation. “But still, not everyone has access to these medicines. It’s crucial to acknowledge each experience with MS is as unique as the individual navigating it, so providing choices to address each person’s needs is essential. We are pleased that with a new method of delivery, there is now an additional option for those who need flexibility in the route of administration or treatment time.”
After the first dose, the time for treatment with Ocrevus Zunovo could be as little as 55 minutes. Patients will be required to take premedications at least 30 minutes prior to each dose. Following the first dose, patients will be monitored by their HCP for at least 60 minutes. Patients will be monitored for at least 15 minutes post-injection for subsequent doses.
The FDA approval is based on pivotal data from the Phase III OCARINA II trial, which showed no clinically significant difference in the levels of Ocrevus in the blood when administered subcutaneously, and a safety and efficacy profile consistent to the IV formulation in people with RMS and PPMS. Out of the exploratory outcomes measured, Ocrevus Zunovo was consistent with IV, demonstrating suppression of relapse activity (97%) and MRI lesions (97%) through 48 weeks. Additionally, one of several patient-reported outcomes measured during the study showed more than 92% of trial participants reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the SC administration of Ocrevus Zunovo.
In the Phase III OCARINA II trial, the safety profile of Ocrevus Zunovo was consistent with the well-established safety profile of Ocrevus® IV, with the exception of injection reactions. The most common adverse events with Ocrevus Zunovo were injection reactions. Injection reactions were more frequently reported with the first injection, with 49% of trial participants experiencing an injection reaction after the first injection. All injection reactions were either mild or moderate, and none led to treatment withdrawal.
Genentech is dedicated to advancing innovative clinical research programs to broaden the scientific understanding of multiple sclerosis, further reducing disability progression in RMS and PPMS and improving the treatment experiences for those living with the disease. Genentech has more than 30 ongoing multiple sclerosis clinical trials designed to help us better understand the disease and its progression.
Developing new formulations of our medicines is part of our commitment to improve the patient experience and support people living with different illnesses at every step of their treatment journey. With Ocrevus Zunovo and Roche and Genentech’s 14 subcutaneous therapies – available across various diseases – we offer additional administration options to meet the diverse preferences of patients.
