Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (RHHBY.PK), announced that preliminary results from the ADACTA (ADalimumab ACTemrA) study showed that patients who received ACTEMRA (tocilizumab) as monotherapy achieved a significantly greater reduction in disease activity after 24 weeks than those given adalimumab monotherapy.
Genentech noted that statistical significance was also achieved on key secondary endpoints including DAS28 remission and low disease activity, ACR20, 50 and 702. Preliminary safety analyses showed adverse event rates were similar between the two groups.
ADACTA is the first study that was specifically designed to determine superiority between two approved biologic therapies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, in the monotherapy setting.
Hal Barron, chief medical officer and head, Global Product Development, said, "These data add to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefit of ACTEMRA alone when methotrexate is not appropriate. Now that there are several therapies approved to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis, trials comparing two active agents are critical as they provide important information to help healthcare professionals choose the right drug for their patients."
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