Genentech's MS Drug Receives NICE Approval
Genentech's Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is now available to UK patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended the drug on Friday (June 22). About 100,000 people in the UK live with MS, and 85% have a relapsing-remitting form eligible for treatment with ocrelizumab. Ocrelizumab has been shown to reduce the number of relapses per year by nearly half and to slow the risk of progression of the disease compared with current treatment. Jo Sopala, Director of Development at the MS Trust welcomed the decision to make the drug routinely available, commenting, “We welcome this positive NICE review for RRMS, and hope that it brings us closer to the treatment being made available to people with early [primary progressive] PPMS too.” Roche/Genentech reports that it is working with NICE to ensure people with early PPMS are also able to access ocrelizumab through the NHS. Click here for Pharm Exec's Brands of the Year report on Ocrevus.
Addressing Disparities in Psoriasis Trials: Takeda's Strategies for Inclusivity in Clinical Research
April 14th 2025LaShell Robinson, Head of Global Feasibility and Trial Equity at Takeda, speaks about the company's strategies to engage patients in underrepresented populations in its phase III psoriasis trials.
Beyond the Prescription: Pharma's Role in Digital Health Conversations
April 1st 2025Join us for an insightful conversation with Jennifer Harakal, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Canopy Life Sciences, as we unpack the evolving intersection of social media and healthcare decisions. Discover how pharmaceutical companies can navigate regulatory challenges while meaningfully engaging with consumers in digital spaces. Jennifer shares expert strategies for responsible marketing, working with influencers, and creating educational content that bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers. A must-listen for pharma marketers looking to build trust and compliance in today's social media landscape.
Pfizer, GSK Gain ACIP Recommendations for RSV and Meningococcal Vaccines
April 18th 2025The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to expand access to Pfizer’s respiratory syncytial virus vaccine Abrysvo for high-risk adults in their 50s and voted in favor of GSK’s meningococcal vaccine, Penmenvy, for streamlined adolescent protection.
