Genentech (DNA) Announces Voluntary Withdrawal of Raptiva from the U.S. Market
Genentech, Inc. (NYSE: DNA) announced a phased voluntary withdrawal of the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab) from the U.S. market. The company's decision is based on the association of Raptiva with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare and usually fatal disease of the central nervous system. Raptiva is indicated for the treatment of chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults 18 years or older who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.
Effective immediately, physicians should not issue prescriptions for Raptiva for any new patients and should promptly contact patients currently receiving Raptiva to assess the most appropriate treatment alternatives. Raptiva will no longer be available after June 8, 2009.
Genentech estimates that approximately 2,000 patients in the United States may currently be receiving Raptiva for chronic plaque psoriasis. Since FDA approval in 2003, approximately 46,000 patients worldwide have been treated with Raptiva.
Create E-mail AlertRelated Categories
Corporate NewsFDA
Stocks Mentioned
+0.00Sign up for StreetInsider Free!
Receive full access to all new and archived articles, unlimited portfolio tracking, e-mail alerts, custom newswires and RSS feeds - and more!
