The US Food and Drug Administration is reviewing a petition seeking to revoke approval of ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), Roche's top-selling drug, for treating primary progressive multiple sclerosis, a form affecting approximately 15% of MS patients. The petition alleges the drug was approved despite internal FDA concerns about lack of effectiveness in women and potential increased breast cancer risk. The review raises fundamental questions about whether ocrelizumab may cause more harm than good in this specific patient population. The outcome could significantly impact both Roche's revenue and treatment options for primary progressive MS patients.
FDA Petition to Revoke Ocrevus Approval for PPMS
- ▪The US Food and Drug Administration is reviewing a petition to revoke the approval of Roche's ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) for treating primary progressive multiple sclerosis
- ▪Primary progressive multiple sclerosis is a form of MS thought to affect around 15% of patients
- ▪Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) is Roche's top-selling drug
- ▪The petition alleges that ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) was approved despite internal concerns about a lack of effectiveness in women
Concerns About Efficacy and Safety in Women
- ▪The petition alleges that ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) was approved despite internal concerns about a lack of effectiveness in women
Perspective of Petition authors
- ▪The FDA approved ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) for primary progressive MS despite internal concerns about lack of effectiveness in women
- ▪Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) may be causing more harm than good in primary progressive multiple sclerosis patients
Perspective of Roche
- ▪Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) represents Roche's highest-revenue pharmaceutical product
- ▪Roche's ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) approval for primary progressive multiple sclerosis is under threat of revocation by the FDA
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