28 September 2017 - Authorisation in Switzerland marks the first for Ocrevus in Europe following approvals in North America, South America, the Middle East, Ukraine and Australia.

Roche announced today that the Swiss agency for the authorisation and supervision of therapeutic products (Swissmedic) has granted authorisation of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) for the treatment of adult patients with active relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). MS, which affects almost 15,000 people in Switzerland, is the leading cause of non-traumatic disability in young adults and often results in serious and permanent disabilities.

In the Phase III ORATORIO study for PPMS, Ocrevus significantly slowed disability progression and reduced signs of disease activity in the brain (MRI lesions) compared with placebo. In the Phase III OPERA I and OPERA II studies for RMS, Ocrevus demonstrated superior efficacy on the three major markers of disease activity, slowing the worsening of disability and significantly reducing MRI lesions compared with Rebif (high-dose interferon beta-1a). The most common side effects associated with Ocrevus in all Phase III studies were infusion reactions and upper respiratory tract infections, which were mostly mild to moderate in severity.

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