Roche launches new drug to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Mumbai, Nov 20 (UNI) Roche Scientific Company India Pvt Ltd today announced the launch of a new drug 'MabThera' (rituximab) for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), here.

This new drug is effective not only in controlling the symptoms but also inhibiting structural damage of joints caused by RA in patients, company officials said.

The company's Medical Advisor Dr Percy Sanjana said, ''It is estimated that approximately 30-40 per cent of patients treated with the currently available biologics do not achieve an adequate response or are intolerant to such therapies. There is a high need for novel and effective options for patients whose daily life continues to be impacted by this serious disease.'' ''RA is a crippling disease which affects the day to day functioning of the patient. MabThera is an innovative drug with a unique mechanism of action. We are hopeful that MabThera shall be able to offer lasting clinical benefit to patients in India who have failed to experience relief from the currently available treatment options,'' the managing director of Roche, Dr G L Telang said.

The drug MabThera was already available in India since the last five years for the treatment of an ailment known as 'Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma'. It has now been approved for the treatment of RA.

UNI LS WD SRS KN1643