Roche to test arthritis drug in coronavirus patients

Country

Switzerland

Roche has announced plans to start a placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of its rheumatoid arthritis drug Actemra (tocilizumab) in adults in hospital with pneumonia caused by the coronavirus. The trial is to be conducted in collaboration with the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). It will evaluate Actemra, plus a standard of care, compared with placebo plus a standard of care.