Genentech,an American biotech subsidiary of Roche Holding AG of Basel,Switzerland,and its partner Shionogi and Co.Ltd of Osaka,Japan have received FDA approval for the sale of their new influenza treatment,Xofluza (TM).The FDA had fast-tracked the drug for quick review,indicating they were impressed by the prospective product.On 24 October 2018,the agency announced its approval.It is now available for patients 12 years old and up.The price is 30.00 for insured patients and 90.00 for uninsured,after Roche coupons are applied.*
The drug is a pill taken in a single dose,the first ever flu treatment of this dosage and the first pharmacologically distinctive flu treatment to be approved in nearly twenty years.It is the only effective single dosage influenza treatment available today.Competitor drug Tamiflu(R) is taken twice a day for five days.The two treatments are comparable in terms of effectiveness,lessening the length of the infection by at least a day.There is some evidence that Xofluza may help limit the spread of influenza.*
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb MD stated that:
With thousands of people getting flu every year,and many people becoming seriously ill,having safe and effective treatments is critical.This novel drug provides an important,additional treatment option.*
The pharmacological uniqueness of Xofluza stems from the fact that it inhibits polymerase acidic endonuclease,an enzyme that supports influenza virus reproduction;while Tamiflu inhibits the enzyme that causes the virus to spread.It is desirable to have more than one type of influenza treatment in case the virus should develop defences against one of them.Xofluza is recommended for acute,uncomplicated influenza.*
The CDC says that,since 2010,flu has caused annual infections at the rate of 9.2-35.6 million cases;140,000 to 190,000 hospitalisations;and 12,000 to 80,000 deaths.*
Roche Holding AG (OTCMKTS:RHHBY),Shionogi and Co. Ltd (OTCMKTS:SGIOY)
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