Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, a division of Ortho Biotech Products, announced that its drug Etravine has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of HIV infection in patients who have not responded to other antiretroviral treatments.
The tablets sold under the name Intelence consist of a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that helps to block an enzyme that the HIV virus requires to multiply. The FDA approved it for use in combination with other HIV medications.
Etravine was given a priority review, status given to medications that treat life threatening conditions. The FDA stated that the drug can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and increase white blood cells that are needed to fight off other infections.
"This is another significant new product for many HIV-infected patients who are NNRTI-resistant and whose infections are not responding to currently available medications," said Dr. Debra B. Birnkrant, director of the FDA's Division of Antiviral Products.
[Source: FDA]
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