European Commission clears Pfizer's Dupuytren's drug Xiapex and added use for Bristol-Myers' Baraclude

There were two pieces of positive news from the European Commission this week, as it gave final approval for the marketing of global behemoth Pfizer’s (NYSE: PFE) Xiapex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum), a new non-surgical treatment option for Dupuytren’s contracture in adult patients with a palpable cord, as well as extending the use of US drug major Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (NYSE: BMY) Baraclude (entecavir).

Xiapex is expected to be available for use in some European markets later this year. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum is the first injectable treatment to be approved in the European Union for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Pfizer has the marketing rights to collagenase clostridium histolyticum in Europe, and Auxilium Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AUXL), has the rights in the rest of the world, under the trade name Xiaflex.

Dupuytren’s disease is a slowly progressive connective tissue disorder that can cause the affected finger to bend into the palm of the hand. It affects approximately 13% of the European population.