Multiple Sclerosis (Relapsing-Remitting) | Emerging Therapies | Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) | US | Wave 3 | 2018

Market Overview

Ocrevus is the latest disease-modifying therapy (DMT) to launch for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States, and easily one of the most significant. Its novel mechanism offers potent efficacy and yields a safety profile that may set it apart from other highly efficacious—but risk-prone—DMTs. A competitive price offering from Genentech/Roche coupled with a clean, unrestrictive label will ease neurologists’ incorporation of Ocrevus into practice. DRG’s launch-tracking series will examine how the perception and performance of Ocrevus evolves through Year One in an MS market still waiting for the DMT that balances efficacy and risk better than Tysabri or Tecfidera, and a field that perennially debates the merits of early, aggressive intervention.

Questions Answered

• What is the awareness of, familiarity with, and perceptions related to Ocrevus among U.S. neurologists?
• For which relapsing MS patients are neurologists prescribing Ocrevus, what are the reasons for prescribing in relapsing MS, and how satisfied are they with Ocrevus?
• What promotional messages and activities are Genentech/Roche employing in support of the Ocrevus launch in relapsing MS?
• How does the trial and adoption of Ocrevus compare to other recent product launches in the relapsing MS market? How do adopters and nonadopters of Ocrevus in the largest MS subpopulation compare across key metrics?

Product Description

Emerging Therapies: is a three-wave series based on primary research data collected at 1, 6, and 12 months postcommercial launch with U.S. physicians. The research captures physicians’ awareness, perceptions, and usage of the launched product, as well as anticipated future trends. Insight is also provided on promotional efforts, prescriber and nonprescriber profiles, and benchmarking against other launched agents.

Markets covered: United States

Primary research: Survey of approximately 75 U.S. neurologists

Key metrics included:

• Unaided and aided awareness of Ocrevus.
• Familiarity with and impressions of Ocrevus.
• Prescriber and nonprescriber profiles.
• Willingness to prescribe Ocrevus.
• Performance of Ocrevus on key attributes.
• Sales representative frequency, reach, and satisfaction.
• Benchmarking against previously launched multiple sclerosis agents.