Conditional EU Marketing Authorization for Gilead's Cayston

Reversing a decision made earlier this year, the European Commission has granted conditional marketing authorization for US biotech firm Gilead Sciences' Cayston 75mg powder and solvent for nebuliser solution (aztreonam lysine) for the suppressive therapy of chronic pulmonary infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis aged 18 years and older. Cayston will be made available in certain countries of the European Union, subject to the requirements of national authorities, beginning in early 2010. The company noted.

CF is a chronic, debilitating genetic disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems of approximately 70,000 people worldwide, including 35,000 people in the European Union. Chronic pulmonary infections due to P. aeruginosa are the single greatest cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with CF.

"Cayston is an important addition to the fight against infection in people with cystic fibrosis, and its approval will bring a further treatment option to patients suffering from this debilitating disease," said Stuart Elborn, Professor of Respiratory Medicine, Queens University of Belfast. "The cystic fibrosis community is very pleased that the EMEA has recognized the importance of bringing forward this effective new treatment."

The approval of Cayston is based on the results of two Phase III, single-course, placebo-controlled clinical studies (CP-AI-007 and CP-AI-005) and the results of an open-label, multiple-course extension study (CP-AI-006) of patients who participated in CP-AI-007 or CP-AI-005.

Applications for marketing approval of Cayston are currently pending in Australia, Switzerland and Turkey. In September 2009, the drug was approved in Canada. Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration requested that Gilead conduct an additional clinical study before resubmitting its New Drug Application. In the United States, Cayston remains an investigational compound that has not yet been approved for use.