Ocaratuzumab at the ACR 2012 in Washington

Ocaratuzumab is a Fc- and Fab engineered anti-CD20 antibody.

Adrienne O'Reilly and colleagues presented a study (Abstract No. 835): "Low Doses of Ocaratuzumab, a Fc- and Fab-Engineered Anti-CD20 Antibody, Result in Rapid and Sustained Depletion of Circulating B-Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients". Conclusion: "Even when administered at doses that are less than 100 fold that of rituximab, ocaratuzumab demonstrates rapid and prolonged B-cell depletion in RA patients. ... Furthermore, ocaratuzumab can potentially be given at doses much smaller than that of the conventional antibodies, possibly permitting subcutaneous administration."

If ocaratuzumab comes as a subcutaneously administered B-cell depleting agent, then it could a great success. I know that my colleagues in private practice don't like the idea of infusing rituximab for long hours. And even clinics run short of capacity for infusion patients. But still a long way to go!