News & Trends - Pharmaceuticals
Genentech launches phase III trial to treat patients with COVID-19 pneumonia
Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, will launch a phase III clinical trial in April to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous Actemra (tocilizumab) plus standard of care in hospitalised adult patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
Actemra was the first humanised interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have used one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate (MTX), that did not provide enough relief.
The primary and secondary endpoints of this COVID-19 study include clinical status, mortality, mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) variables. Patients will be followed for 60 days post-randomisation, and an interim analysis will be conducted to look for early evidence of efficacy.
HCP engagement during COVID-19. Fill the gap of reduced fieldforce activities. Health Industry Hub combines expertise in delivering digital health content and measuring engagement with 20+ years industry experience. Created by industry for industry. Contact us.
To date, several independent clinical trials have begun globally to explore the efficacy and safety of Actemra for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. However, this new trial is vital because there are no well-controlled studies and limited published evidence on the safety or efficacy of Actemra in the treatment of patients suffering from COVID-19.
Actemra is under study as a COVID-19 treatment in two active Chinese clinical studies, according to the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry:
- A 150-patient trial assessing Actemra in combination with favipiravir, a broad spectrum anti-viral agent (ChiCTR2000030894), led by Hong Zhao of Peking University First Hospital.
- A 188-patient trial assessing Actemra alone (ChiCTR2000029765), led by Dongsheng Wang of The First Affiliated Hospital of University of science and technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital).
Register FREE and join 20,000+ industry professionals receiving the latest industry news and engaging content from Health Industry Hub; the ONLY one-stop-hub connecting Australia’s Pharma, MedTech and Biotech industry professionals.
News & Trends - MedTech & Diagnostics
$54 million cancer centre opens in one of Australia’s fastest growing communities
MedTech & Diagnostics News: Cancer care provider, GenesisCare, is now treating patients at a new $54 million integrated cancer centre […]
MoreMarketing & Strategy
Bayer, MSD and Takeda among winners at Asia Pacific awards
Bayer, MSD, Takeda, Alcon, and Cipla emerge as winners among this week’s announcements of Asia Pacific awards which celebrate organisations […]
MoreNews & Trends - MedTech & Diagnostics
Queensland elevates diagnostic precision with cutting-edge imaging technology
MedTech & Diagnostics News: Mackay Base Hospital and Qscan Mackay have unveiled state-of-the-art medical imaging machines to elevate patient care […]
MoreNews & Trends - Pharmaceuticals
Landmark collaboration sparks inauguration of precision care clinic
Pharma News: In a landmark collaboration, Australians with cancer will receive more personalised care through the newly established Precision Care […]
More