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Roche Upbeat On Ocrevus Despite Consensus Miss

COVID-19 And Competition Slows Growth

 
• By Kevin Grogan

Fewer patients with multiple sclerosis are switching treatment during the pandemic but despite that, and the arrival of competition from Novartis's Kesimpta, Roche insists Ocrevus growth remains strong.

Pathway
Patients unwilling to change treatment pathways in the pandemic • Source: Shutterstock

Although fourth-quarter 2020 sales of Roche Holding AG's multiple sclerosis blockbuster Ocrevus were well down on analyst forecasts, the Swiss major is confident about the drug's long-term prospects and its ability to fend off Novartis AG's newly launched rival Kesimpta.

Full-year revenues for Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) were still impressive, rising 24% to CHF4.33bn ($4.80bn) and the fourth quarter contributed CHF1.05bn to...

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