Green light for new rheumatoid arthritis therapy that can be injected at home

A new version of tocilizumab has been approved by the European Commission – one that can be injected at home as opposed to being given intravenously – offering greater options for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Sold under the brand name RoActemra, tocilizumab will soon be available via a prefilled syringe and is suitable for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in people who are intolerant to, or have failed to respond to, other therapies.
Result of recent trials showed that the new product reduced progression of joint damage over 48 weeks compared to a placebo treatment, and has a similar efficacy and safety profile as the intravenous version.
“Today’s European approval of RoActemra is important because it provides physicians and patients with the flexibility to choose a treatment method that suits their needs,” says Dr Sandra Horning, chief medical officer at manufacturer Roche. “Together with their physicians, patients can choose whether to self-inject RoActemra at home or have it administered in their doctor’s office.”