Pfizer’s Oral HIV Drug Celsentri Approved for EU
The dominant global pharmaceutical manufacturer, Pfizer, announced on the 24th September 2007 that European approval had been given for Celsentri – its orally-taken Aids drug. Having gained US approval in August, Celsentri is the first in a new breed of oral AIDs medications.
The approval for Celsentri was given by the European Commission while, last month, it was granted by the US Food and Drug Administration. The drug’s generic name is maraviroc, while, stateside, it goes by the name of ‘Selzentry’. It is the first treatment conceived to halt the progress of HIV into healthy cells; previous AIDs drugs going straight for the virus instead. Specifically, it forms a barrier over the CCR5 co-receptor that otherwise would allow HIV through to the cells.
European approval from Celsentri was anticipated after, two months ago, a recommendation for its use was provided by a panel of experts at the European Union.
Its approval is in respect of patients with HIV on whom previous medicines have proved ineffective, and in whom medical evidence exists that their particular strand of HIV is associated with the CCR5 co-receptor.
Celsentri was actually developed here in the UK, at Pfizer’s Sandwich-based research centre.
Highlighting the significance of this new and, potentially, hugely significant drug, the University of Cologne’s Gerd Faetkenheuer said of it: “...although other treatments are currently available, maraviroc targets the fight against the HIV virus in a new way.”
His comments were echoed by Fillipo von Schloesser, who referred to HIV as “...a significant health concern in Europe”, with “...infection rates...still increasing”. He continued: “Without new medicines, resistance to current treatments is one of the biggest challenges facing HIV care today.” Mr von Schloesser, who presides over Fondazione Nadir Onlus – an HIV-concerned organisation based in Italy – concluded that Celsentri’s approval “will offer a new option”.
Experts within the Pharmaceutical Industry foresee Celsentri’s sales figures reaching approximately $500 million a year by 2011. Pfizer itself sees Celsentri as pivotal in its boost to motor profits along, alongside the loss of several significant patents, and the current competition lining up to take on its cholesterol drug Lipitor.
Source – Pharmaceutical International’s Research and Development Analyst
Recent related News Items:
New and Innovative Pfizer HIV Drug Approved
Infections Halt Merck HIV Vaccine Trial
Approval Set for New Drug Class Aids Treatment
Further Resources:
