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Investor Update

Basel, 4 June 2008

Significant new data on Roche’s Rheumatoid Arthritis portfolio to be presented at the EULAR Annual Meeting 2008

Overview of studies to be presented, June 11-14

Roche, along with Chugai and collaborators, will present a large number of abstracts on its emerging portfolio in Rheumatoid Arthritis at the Annual Meeting of European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) in Paris June 11-14, 2008.

Data includes 13 oral sessions, 40 posters and 53 abstracts featuring MabThera (rituximab), the first selective B cell therapy in RA, along with 6 orals, 21 posters and 7 abstracts covering Actemra (tocilizumab), the first IL-6 receptor inhibitor.

Highlights of the data to be presented include:

  • Two year data demonstrating continued inhibition of structural damage in RA patients with an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors, treated with MabThera in combination with methotrexate: phase III REFLEX study (Abstract THU0167; Thursday, June 12th; Poster Session)
  • Results from the phase III AMBITION study, assessing the efficacy and safety of Actemra monotherapy vs. methotrexate monotherapy in patients who have had limited or no previous exposure to methotrexate (Abstract OP-0131; Friday, June 13th; 10:15-11:45, Grand Auditorium)
  • Relationship between serum IL-6 levels after Actemra treatment and clinical remission in active RA patients (Abstract OP-0135; Friday, June 13th; 10:15-11:45, Grand Auditorium)
  • The efficacy and safety of Actemra in combination with DMARDs for the treatment of early and established rheumatoid arthritis, pooled data from two phase 3 clinical trials OPTION and TOWARD (Abstract OP-0245; Saturday, June 14th; 8:45-10:15, room Ternes)
  • Analysis of the effectiveness of switching to MabThera versus alternative anti-TNFs on disease activity in RA patients who have had an inadequate response with previous TNF antagonists (Abstract OP-0249; Saturday, June 14th; 8:45-10:15, room Amphi Bleu)
  • Safety and efficacy data of different doses of ocrelizumab in combination with methotrexate in RA patients who have failed DMARDs (Abstract OP-0250; Saturday, June 14th; 8:45-10:15, room Amphi Bleu)
  • Data from the phase III RADIATE study, looking at the efficacy and safety of Actemra in combination with methotrexate vs. placebo with methotrexate in patients with inadequate response to TNF antagonists (Abstract OP-0251; Saturday, June 14th; 8:45-10:15, room Amphi Bleu)

In order to assist you in your preparation, Roche has prepared an overview of oral and poster abstracts relevant to Roche and our partners, which can be downloaded from our website via http://www.roche.com/inv-update-2008-05-20b.

A summary of the key data presented at EULAR by Roche and its collaborators will be provided at the Analyst Briefing on June 13th in Paris, at 12.30 pm, which we invite you to attend. Details can be found on: http://www.roche.com/inv-update-2008-05-20b.