1. Scrip
  2. >>Business

Actemra Access: Roche Open To Partnering Patent Pools

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Roche is open to considering tie-ups with the Medicines Patent Pool or other voluntary patent pools to assess partners for Actemra, as part of efforts to broaden access to the immunotherapy for COVID-19. With a patent non-assert declaration on tocilizumab already in place, activists say the geographic scope of patent licenses will need to be broadened to have any real impact.

Coronavirus Variant Emerging/Mutated SARS-CoV-2
Broadening Access To COVID-19 Therapies • Source: Alamy

With the World Health Organization drawing attention to the inaccessibility and unaffordability of the interleukin-6 receptor blockers which it recently recommended for COVID-19, Roche appears to be taking steps to remedy the situation for Actemra/RoActemra (tocilizumab).

The Swiss multinational, which recently said it won’t be asserting any patent rights against the use of the IL-6 receptor blocker to treat COVID-19 in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) during...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Business

Summit’s Ivonescimab Shows Significance On PFS, But Not Overall Survival

 
• By Joseph Haas

In a study intended to show similar benefit in western patients, PD-1/VEGF-targeting ivonescimab met a progression-free survival endpoint, but missed on OS.

Sanofi Bid For Second COPD Approval Hurt By Mixed Itepekimab Data

 
• By Kevin Grogan

One Phase III trial hits but a second study misses by a mile.

Astellas Gets CLDN.18.2-Targeted ADC From China’s Evopoint

 
• By Joseph Haas

Astellas will pay $130m up front for near-global rights to a Phase I/II antibody-drug conjugate that will add to its portfolio of CLDN.18.2-targeted drugs, including Vyloy.

All Over For iTeos But Applause For Plan To Return Cash Fast

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The company has moved quickly to wind down operations after its anti-TIGIT pact with GSK collapsed.

More from Scrip

Quotables: Pharma Leaders On The Month’s Hot Topics

 
• By Anabel Costa-Ferreira

The highlights of recent comments and insights from industry executives on the key issues covered in Scrip.

In Brief: Neurocrine Details New Data For Schizophrenia Drug Moving To Phase III

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Neurocrine reports new details of positive Phase II results in schizophrenia and a favorable safety and cardiovascular profile for its first-in-class oral M4 agonist, now moving to Phase III trials.

Astellas Gets CLDN.18.2-Targeted ADC From China’s Evopoint

 
• By Joseph Haas

Astellas will pay $130m up front for near-global rights to a Phase I/II antibody-drug conjugate that will add to its portfolio of CLDN.18.2-targeted drugs, including Vyloy.