US FDA clears new Johnson & Johnson HIV drug

[flashl]

WASHINGTON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Health-care products maker Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) won U.S. approval to sell a new HIV drug called Intelence for patients with resistance to other therapies, U.S. officials said on Friday.

The drug, also known as TMC125 or etravirine, is a new member of the family of AIDS-fighting drugs called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI).

More than two dozen drugs are approved for fighting the deadly HIV virus. Patients need new options because HIV can mutate to resist existing treatments.

The Food and Drug Administration said it approved Intelence for use with other AIDS drugs. It was cleared for adults who have failed alternative HIV therapies.

Reuters

[gateley]

1. K&R -- I hope it helps a lot of people! nt

[varkam]

2. If the FDA approved it, then it must be bad.

Oh, :sarcasm: