Ocrelizumab successfully slows the progression of MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.

●Ocrelizumab is a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody.

●It is developed as a treatment for multiple sclerosis by Genentech (a US based Biotech company).

●Ocrelizumab is a slightly modified version of Genentech's existing therapy Rituxan/Rituximab.

Clinical trials:-
●In October 2010, Roche announced 24-week results from the PhII study in relapsing-remitting MS. The drug demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in disease activity as measured by brain lesions (measured by MRI scans) and relapse rate compared to placebo.

●On October 9, 2015, Genentech presented interim results of three Phase III clinical trials that look promising. Progression of disability was reduced at 12 and 24 weeks.

●On February 17, 2016 FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for primary progressive multiple sclerosis(PPMS).

●Genentech recently announced favorable results from a pivotal Phase 3 trial called ORATORIO, a randomized, double-blind, global and multicenter study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ocrelizumab in 732 patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). The drug was administered intravenously, as two infusions of 300 mg given two weeks apart every six months.

●Data from two related Phase 3 studies, OPERA I and II, testing the efficacy of the drug in 1,656 patients with relapsing forms of MS, found that ocrelizumab was superior to interferon beta-1a, a well-established MS therapy, reducing the annualized relapse rate (the primary endpoint of both studies) by nearly 50 percent over a two-year controlled treatment period. Ocrelizumab was administered intravenously at 600 mg every six months; interferon beta-1a was given by subcutaneous injection at 44 mcg three times per week.

Source : Wikipedia, CNN, Roche