Roche has racked up more late-stage data backing Actemra as a new therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers say their fifth Phase III trial demonstrated that the therapy inhibited structural damage to joints. And physical function was improved in patients after a year of treatment.

Actemra is widely viewed as one of the three most important late-stage RA drugs in the global pipeline. The wave of late-stage therapies includes Cimzia (certolizumab) and golimumbab, both angling for near-term FDA approvals in the hope of joining the group of anti-TNF therapies on the market. Actemra (tocilizumab) is in a new, non-TNF category that is an odds on favorite to gain approval as a second- or third-line treatment.

- here's Roche's release [1]
- read the AFX report [2]

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Roche seeks FDA approval of RA drug Actemra [3]
Roche sees positive late-stage data on Actemra [4]
New data on Actemra [5]
Chugai seeks Actemra approval [6]