Oxford Researchers Say Roche's Arthritis Drug Cuts Death In Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Oxford researchers have reportedly found that Roche Holdings AG’s RHHBY arthritis drug Actemra (tocilizumab), when combined with the steroid dexamethasone, cuts the risk of death among patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19, as well as shorten the time to recovery and reduce the need for mechanical ventilation, CNBC reports.
The Recovery trial was established in March by researchers at Oxford University to discover treatments for COVID-19. In June last year, the RECOVERY trial found that the cheap and widely available steroid dexamethasone reduced death rates by around a third among the most severely ill COVID-19 patients and adopted as a part of standard-of-care recommended for severe patients.
Results showed that treatment with tocilizumab significantly reduced deaths, with 29% of the tocilizumab group dying within 28 days, compared with 33% of patients in the usual care group.
According to the researchers, the probability of discharge within 28 days was increased from 47% to 54%.
Price Action: RHHBY stock moved 0.46% higher at $43.86 in market hours on the last check Thursday.