Real-world MS data back the subcutaneous switch. The CONFIDENCE study found that multiple sclerosis patients who switched from IV to subcutaneous ocrelizumab tolerated the change well, with no new safety signals. Most patients made the switch by personal preference, and serious side effects remained rare across both relapsing and primary progressive MS groups.
Real-world MS data back the subcutaneous switch
The CONFIDENCE study, presented at the 10th Joint ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS Meeting in Toronto, offers reassuring real-world evidence for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients transitioning from intravenous (IV) to subcutaneous (SC) ocrelizumab. Of 296 patients enrolled — 236 with relapsing MS and 60 with primary progressive MS — the vast majority (293) switched from IV ocrelizumab, with patient preference being the top reason (67.9%).
The SC formulation, branded as Ocrevus Zunovo and FDA-approved in September 2024, delivers treatment via an approximately 10-minute injection twice yearly — a meaningful convenience upgrade over the IV infusion. The real-world safety profile aligned with what was seen in clinical trials, with no new safety signals emerging.
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Why it matters: Real-world data are critical for validating what clinical trials demonstrate in controlled settings. This study adds confidence that switching MS patients to the more convenient SC formulation is both safe and practical — potentially improving adherence and quality of life for thousands of patients.
