Roche’s subcutaneous (SC) formulation of its Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Agency (MHRA) to treat adults with relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).
The new ten-minute injection maintains the same twice-yearly schedule as the previously approved intravenous (IV) infusion, providing an additional treatment option for patients and enabling them to spend less time in hospital.
Affecting more than 150,000 people in the UK, MS is a neurological disease that causes symptoms such as blurred vision, weak limbs, tingling sensations, unsteadiness, memory problems and fatigue.
Relapsing-remitting MS accounts for approximately 85% of all cases and is characterised by episodes of new or worsening signs or symptoms followed by periods of recovery, while primary progressive MS affects about 15% of patients and is marked by steadily worsening symptoms.
Roche’s Ocrevus is a disease-modifying therapy designed to target a type of immune cell thought to be a key contributor to myelin and axonal damage, which can lead to disability in people with MS.
The MHRA’s latest decision on the therapy was supported by clinical trial results showing that the SC formulation is just as effective as the IV treatment, with 97% of patients experiencing no relapses in their condition and no development of brain lesions over 48 weeks.
The NHS said that stock of the drug is set to be available in the “coming weeks”, adding that it will be one of the first healthcare systems to offer the new injection globally.
Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “[Ocrevus] has represented a huge advance in care in recent years as the first drug able to change the course of the disease, and we hope this innovative and speedier option will now make another significant difference in improving patients’ quality of life and help thousands avoid longer stints in hospital for treatment.”
Alongside reducing treatment time for patients, it is hoped that Ocrevus SC will save time for clinicians and help free up capacity in hospitals.
Ceri Smith, head of policy at the MS Society, said: “This method will expand the choices available to many MS patients and will mean more people can receive this treatment in a way that suits them.”