FDA APPROVES NEW DRUG FOR RESISTANT HIV INFECTIONS

The FDA yesterday approved a new drug for adults whose HIV infection has not responded to treatment with other antiretroviral drugs.

Prezista (darunavir), a new HIV protease inhibitor, is approved to be co-administered with a low-dose of ritonavir and other active anti-HIV agents. Ritonavir, a protease inhibitor approved in 1996, slows the breakdown of Prezista in the body, thereby increasing the concentration of Prezista in the patient's system.

Prezista is manufactured for Tibotec, a division of Ortho Biotech Products.