FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Roche has warned that Russia's attack on Ukraine is disrupting the development of a new generation of multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs as the industry has come to disproportionately rely on Eastern Europe for clinical trials.
The pharmaceutical industry has been scrambling to find ways to keep patients in Ukraine enrolled in various clinical trials as millions have fled the war and sought shelter in neighbouring countries.
"Both Ukraine and Russia historically have been very important contributors to clinical trials for patients with neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis," the head of Roche's pharmaceutical division, Bill Anderson, told reporters on a call after the release of first-quarter sales.
About 20% to 30% of patients in the global fenebrutinib MS trial programme have been from Ukraine and Russia, far above the countries' revenue potential, the Swiss company said.
It said it was opening sites in additional countries, "recruiting for additional sites in countries where we do have clinical trials and recruiting patients into existing sites faster".
While trials in Ukraine have been massively disrupted by the war, no more new trial participants will be recruited in Russia as part of Roche's response to Moscow's invasion, which was similar to that of other drugmakers.
