As per reports, it has been revealed that Roche Holding AG has successfully completed the phase four trial of its rheumatoid arthritis treating drug. The company has boasted that the drug was able to provide better results than the Abbott Laboratories' top-selling Humira.

The company revealed that they conducted an experiment in which they divided the group in two halves. The first group was given RoActemra and the second group was asked to take Humira.

After 24 weeks, it was noticed that 65% patients were able to witness reduction in swollen and tender joints. However, only 49% patients, who were taking Humira, were benefitted.

"Despite these strong efficacy results, it is difficult to assess whether these trial results can be successfully exploited to bring about a change in physicians' prescription habits”, said Andrew Weiss, who is an analyst at Vontobel.

He has predicted that the sales of RoActemrawill not be less than 2 billion Swiss francs. Karsten Jung, who is the head of GPS Immunology at Roche, was also of the same view and affirmed that the drug stands good chance to become the top most choice of doctors.

It shall, however, be noted that the drug has to prove that it is better than all the nine drugs being available for rheumatoid arthritis.