Genentech Builds Case For Rituxan In Pemphigus With Comparator Study Data

Genentech Inc. succeeded in adding pemphigus vulgaris to US and EU labeling for its biosimilar-threatened Rituxan (rituximab) within the past year, but is still working to build evidence around the biologic’s efficacy in the rare autoimmune disease. On 12 October, the Roche division unveiled data from the Phase III PEMPHIX study showing that Rituxan yields superior results in pemphigus patients at 52 weeks than off-label use of its own CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil, aka MMF).

While Genentech tries to encourage use of Rituxan in its fifth labeled indication, however, potential competitor Principia reported positive data on 10 October from part B of a Phase II...