EMA Assesses Roche’s Tocilizumab for Severe COVID-19

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is reviewing Roche’s arthritis drug RoActemra (tocilizumab) — sold as Actemra in the U.S. — as a potential treatment for hospitalized adult patients with severe COVID-19.

The drug, which is being evaluated for patients receiving treatment with corticosteroids who require supplemental oxygen, is being considered because of its ability to inhibit the cytokine interleukin-6 associated with the body’s inflammatory reaction to COVID-19.

The EMA’s human medicines committee is conducting an accelerated assessment, including assessing results from four large randomized trials.