Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) vs Kesimpta (ofatumumab)

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) and Kesimpta (ofatumumab) are both monoclonal antibodies used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), but they differ in their dosing schedules and mechanisms of action. Ocrevus is administered as an intravenous infusion every six months after the initial doses, and it targets CD20-positive B cells, which are thought to play a role in the pathological processes of MS. Kesimpta, on the other hand, is a subcutaneous injection that patients can administer themselves once a month after the initial loading doses, and it also targets CD20-positive B cells, but with a different molecular structure and binding affinity. When deciding between the two, patients should consider factors such as their preference for administration method, their response to previous treatments, and their overall health profile, in consultation with their healthcare provider.

Difference between Ocrevus and Kesimpta

Metric	Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)	Kesimpta (ofatumumab)
Generic name	Ocrelizumab	Ofatumumab
Indications	Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS)	Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS), including clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease
Mechanism of action	CD20-directed cytolytic antibody	CD20-directed cytolytic antibody
Brand names	Ocrevus	Kesimpta
Administrative route	Intravenous infusion	Subcutaneous injection
Side effects	Infusion reactions, infections, skin reactions, lower respiratory tract infections, etc.	Upper respiratory tract infections, headache, injection-related reactions, local injection site reactions, etc.
Contraindications	Active hepatitis B virus infection, known hypersensitivity to ocrelizumab or any of its components	Active hepatitis B virus infection, known hypersensitivity to ofatumumab or any of its components
Drug class	CD20-directed monoclonal antibody	CD20-directed monoclonal antibody
Manufacturer	Genentech, Inc.	Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Efficacy

Ocrevus (Ocrelizumab) Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is a monoclonal antibody designed to target CD20-positive B cells, which are believed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The efficacy of Ocrevus for the treatment of MS has been demonstrated in several key clinical trials, including the OPERA I and OPERA II studies for relapsing forms of MS, and the ORATORIO study for primary progressive MS (PPMS). In these trials, Ocrevus has been shown to significantly reduce the relapse rate in patients with relapsing MS compared to interferon beta-1a, a standard therapy. Additionally, in the ORATORIO trial, Ocrevus was the first therapy to show a reduction in disease progression in PPMS, which is a form of MS that previously had limited treatment options.

The OPERA studies showed that Ocrevus reduced the annualized relapse rate by approximately 50% compared to interferon beta-1a over a two-year period. Furthermore, Ocrevus treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the number of new or enlarging brain lesions detected on MRI scans, which is an important indicator of disease activity in MS. In the ORATORIO study, Ocrevus slowed the progression of disability by 24% compared to placebo over a period of at least 120 weeks.

Kesimpta (Ofatumumab) Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis

Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is another monoclonal antibody targeting CD20-positive B cells and is used in the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, which include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary progressive MS. The efficacy of Kesimpta has been evaluated in the ASCLEPIOS I and II phase III trials, where it was compared to teriflunomide, another MS medication. Kesimpta demonstrated a significant reduction in the annualized relapse rate, which was approximately 50% lower than that observed with teriflunomide.

In addition to the reduction in relapse rates, Kesimpta showed a significant decrease in the number of new or enlarging brain lesions on MRI. The medication also demonstrated a favorable impact on slowing the progression of disability. The convenience of Kesimpta's dosing regimen, which is a once-monthly self-administered subcutaneous injection after initial loading doses, may also contribute to its positive reception among patients and healthcare providers.

Regulatory Agency Approvals

Ocrevus

European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
Health Canada
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia
Medsafe (NZ)

Kesimpta

European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA

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