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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just approved the first new non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) to come down the pike in 10 years. The new drug, known as Intelence (etravirine), is a welcome addition to the NNRTI class of drugs, which also includes Sustiva and Viramune, because it works for patients who are resistant to other NNRTIs.

"NNRTIs have been used in HIV combination therapy for more than a decade, but their use has been limited by cross-resistance within the class. Resistance to one NNRTI generally meant resistance to all NNRTIs," said Richard Haubrich, M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of San Diego, California. "Intelence breaks new ground in the NNRTI class, and provides a new option to thousands of treatment-experienced patients with NNTRI-resistant HIV."

During research and development, Intelence was known as TMC-125. It was developed by Tibotec Therapeutics, a division of Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. Tibotec's first HIV drug, a protease inhibitor called Prezista (darunavir, TMC114) was approved by the FDA in 2006.

"It is very inspiring to our R&D organization to see an additional compound so quickly emerge from our pipeline and reach patients who need it," said Roger Pomerantz, MD, FACP, President, Tibotec Research and Development. "With one of the most robust virology research and development programs in the industry, we are dedicated to continuing to deliver innovative approaches in HIV management in the years to come."

"The addition of Intelence following the launch of our first antiretroviral just two years ago is a significant milestone for Tibotec Therapeutics," said Glenn Mattes, President, Tibotec Therapeutics. "In partnership with Tibotec R&D, we are committed to continuing to bring new options to people living with HIV."

Copyright 2018, Positive Health Publications, Inc.

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