FDA Approves New Indication For Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Actemra

Roche Jan. 5 announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved Actemra (tocilizumab) for inhibiting and slowing structural joint damage, improving physical function, and achieving major clinical response in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis when given in combination with methotrexate.

In January 2010, FDA approved Actemra for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to or cannot tolerate other approved drug classes for rheumatoid arthritis (8 PLIR 73, 1/15/10). The drug is manufactured by Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche.

Rheumatoid arthritis is ...