FDA Approves Pfizer’s HIV Treatment

Pfizer announced that the FDA has approved Selzentry tablets, the first in a new class of oral HIV medicines in more than 10 years.

According To Pfizer, Selzentry (Maraviroc) Blocks Viral Entry Into White Blood Cells, Reducing Viral Load And Increasing T-Cell Counts In Treatment-Experienced Patients Infected With A Specific Type Of Hiv.

The FDA granted accelerated approval to Selzentry for combination antiretroviral treatment of adults infected with only CCR5-tropic HIV-1 detectable, who have evidence of viral replication and have HIV-1 strains resistant to multiple antiretroviral agents, the company said.

Selzentry is the first in a class of drugs known as CCR5 antagonists, which block the CCR5 coreceptor, the virus’ predominant entry route into T-cells. Selzentry stops the R5 virus on the outside surface of the cells before it enters, rather than fighting the virus inside as do all other classes of oral HIV medicines, the company added.

The company said it expects Selzentry to be available in the U.S. by the middle of September.