Roche rheumatism drug does not reduce Covid-19 deaths
Trials showed that Actemra did not sufficiently improve the recovery of patients with Covid-19.
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche says a drug normally used to treat other medical conditions has failed to prove its effectiveness at alleviating the symptoms of Covid-19.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
Español
es
Medicamento para el reumatismo no reduce muertes por COVID-19
Phase III clinical trials on Actemra/RoActemra, in combination with Veklury, did not meet the primary goal of helping coronavirus patients recover faster and shorten their hospital stay.
There was also insufficient evidence that the drug cocktail improved mortality rates or reduced the number of patients who required ventilator or oxygen support.
“Actemra/RoActemra is not approved for the treatment of Covid-19 pneumonia,” Roche announced on Thursday. The trials did not indicate any negative side-effects, the company added.
It was hoped that the drug, which has been approved for use against rheumatoid arthritis, could control Covid-19 symptoms in patients when combined with Veklury, which is produced by US biotech firm Gilead.
But Roche added that Actemra might still play some role in the treatment of Covid-19. It said that the trial data “suggests a potential role for Actemra in treating certain patients with Covid-19 and will discuss the results with health authorities.”
Popular Stories
More
Workplace Switzerland
Trump tariff shock: how Switzerland is positioning itself
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Swiss consumer spending rises in March despite tariff uncertainties
This content was published on
Global financial turmoil and uncertainties surrounding trade tariffs has not yet had an impact on consumer behaviour in Switzerland, where spending rose strongly in March.
Swiss road safety group warns of e-scooter dangers
This content was published on
Accidents involving electric scooters often result in injuries to the head, face or upper body, the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention BFU warns.
This content was published on
The number of eggs consumed in Switzerland last year smashed the annual record, according to the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG).
This content was published on
Switzerland emitted 40.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2023, 1 million tonnes less than the previous year. Overall, emissions were 26% lower than in 1990.
Swiss soldiers take part in military exercise in Austria
This content was published on
The Swiss army has organised a military exercise in Austria, involving 1,000 militia soldiers. The aim is to strengthen the country's defence capability.
Switzerland records below-average number of avalanche deaths
This content was published on
Ten people died in avalanches in the Swiss Alps last winter, according to the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF). This is below the average for the past 20 years.
This content was published on
The Swiss population is expected to grow to 10.5 million by 2055, mainly due to immigration, according to the latest forecast by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
WMO climate report: warmest year and record rainfall in Europe in 2024
This content was published on
Europe faced a stark east-west climate divide last year: it was too wet in the west and too dry in the east, according to a new report.
Trump tariffs: 95% of Swiss SMEs don’t plan to move to US
This content was published on
According to a survey, 95% of small and medium-sized industrial companies (SMEs) in Switzerland are not planning to relocate to the United States in the near future.
Swiss franc weakens slightly amid tariff uncertainty
This content was published on
The Swiss franc fell slightly against the euro and US dollar on Monday. Meanwhile, stocks rallied in Europe, Asia and the US.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Roche bids to co-develop potential oral Covid-19 treatment
This content was published on
The Basel-based company has partnered with Atea Pharmaceuticals to develop, manufacture and distribute the latter’s oral anti-Covid-19 treatment.
Swiss group says machines can conduct 30m virus antibody tests
This content was published on
Swiss medical diagnostics company Quotient is poised to release machines that can conduct large scale coronavirus antibody tests.
‘Anti-malaria drug can kill coronavirus’: Novartis chief
This content was published on
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis believes the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine offers one of the best hopes to combat coronavirus.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.