A small study of early COVID-19 patients in Italy showed Roche’s Actemra (tocilizumab) provided no benefit, the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) said.

The results of a 126-patient study across 24 centers in the country showed no improvement or increased survival in patients.

The agency said the immunosuppressive drug, which is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, should not be used outside of clinical trials for COVID-19 patients.