Roche’s Actemra Missed All Key Endpoints When Paired with Remdesivir to Treat COVID-19

Roche reported that its arthritis drug Actemra (tocilizumab), when paired with the antiviral remdesivir (Veklury) from Gilead Sciences, did not meet the endpoint of improved time to hospital discharge for patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

It also missed its key secondary targets of reducing likelihood of death and likelihood of progression to mechanical ventilation.

“We continue to believe that the totality of data suggests a potential role for Actemra in treating certain patients with COVID-19 and will discuss the results with health authorities,” said Levi Garraway, Roche’s chief medical officer and head of global product development.

The full results of the trial will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal later this year. — Suz Redfearn