The world’s largest drugmaker has announced that Celsentri, its new oral HIV drug, has been approved by the European Commission for use in the European Union.
Celsentri is the first new type of HIV drug to be introduced to Europe in more than ten years.
Generically known as maraviroc, it was first discovered at Pfizer's research center in Sandwich in 1997, and works by preventing the virus from entering uninfected cells by blocking its main entry route.
Other treatments attempt to fight the virus inside the cell.
Celsentri is designed only for HIV-infected people who are becoming resistant to other treatments.
Analysts believe the product could generate annual sales of $500 million by 2011.
Filippo von Schloesser, president of Italian HIV patient organization, Fondazione Nadir Onlus had this to say about the product:
“HIV is a significant health concern in Europe and infection rates are still increasing. Without new medicines, resistance to current treatments is one of the biggest challenges facing HIV care today.
“The approval of maraviroc will offer a new option to many people living with HIV in Europe.”
His comments were echoed by Gerd Faetkenheuer of theDepartment of Internal
Medicine, University of Cologne, Germany:
“Maraviroc is an important additional treatment option for R5 tropic treatment-experienced patients in Europe.
“Although other treatments are currently available, maraviroc targets the fight against the HIV virus in a new way.”
September 25, 2007
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