An investigational monoclonal antibody Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), developed to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), was granted Priority Review Designation by FDA on June 27, Genentech announced. The drug received Breakthrough Therapy status from FDA in February 2016. The priority designation will give the drug a target action date of December 28, 2016.

If approved, the drug would be the first and only treatment indicated for both forms of MS. In clinical trials, ocrelizumab was shown to be superior to interferon beta-1a, also known as Pfizer/EMD Serono’s Rebif, a widely used treatment for relapsing forms of the disease. Ocrelizumab is designed to selectively target CD20-positive B cells that are thought to contribute to myelin and axonal damage. Ocrelizimab works by binding to CD20 cell-surface proteins on B cells, blocking their action. According to Roche, "Overall safety of Ocrevus in the Phase III studies was similar to interferon beta-1a in the RMS studies and to placebo in the PPMS study."

Source: Roche