Roche Relaunches Arthritis Drug in UK

Roche's Toclizumab is already licensed to treat adults with severe arthritis, but as of today the drug will be available for children.

Roche has relaunched its rheumatoid arthritis drug Toclizumab in the UK to treat children with the disease.

Toclizumab, also known as RoActemra, is already licensed to treat adults with severe arthritis, but as of today the drug will be available for children.

Around 2,500 children in the UK are currently living with the disease, which can persist into adulthood and cause significant disability.

The latest clinical study of 112 children showed that after three months of taking tocizilumab, three quarters of the participants had a 70% improvement in their condition, compared with 8% taking the placebo. One year later, two-thirds of children experienced a 90% imp