SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (dpa-AFX) - Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (RHHBY), reported that late-stage PEMPHIX study showed its Rituxan or rituximab superior to Mycophenolate Mofetil in patients with pemphigus vulgaris.
The study met the primary endpoint at week 52, with 40.3% of patients treated with Rituxan achieving sustained complete remission (CR) without the use of steroids for 16 consecutive weeks or more, compared to 9.5% in the mycophenolate mofetil arm. All secondary endpoints were statistically significant in favor of Rituxan.
'The PEMPHIX study showed that 40% of people in the study could achieve complete remission from painful blistering without the need for corticosteroids for 16 weeks or more and that Rituxan may be a superior treatment option to mycophenolate mofetil,' said Levi Garraway, chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development.
Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare, serious and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by progressive painful blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. Mycophenolate Mofetilis an unapproved, commonly used treatment for Pemphigus vulgaris that is recommended in published treatment guidelines.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX