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A company aims to launch a drug fighting Type 1 Gaucher disease in Europe this year after the drug’s approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The administration approved Shire’s injectable Vpriv drug to treat children and adults with the most common form of Gaucher disease.
Vpriv, which should be made available in non-European countries from 2011, will act as an alternative to Genzyme’s Cerezyme which is in short supply due to manufacturing problems.
“Patients who previously received Cerezyme as an enzyme replacement therapy for their Type 1 Gaucher disease can be safely switched to Vpriv,” said Julie Beitz, head of the FDA office that reviewed the drug.
Shire welcomed the FDA approval. Gaucher disease affects people who lack enough of a certain enzyme, according to the agency. Too much fat can build up in the body and prevent organs from working.
Copyright Press Association 2010
