Actelion/Celltech Zavesca
This article was originally published in Pharmaceutical Approvals Monthly
Executive Summary
Actelion's type I Gaucher disease therapy Zavesca (miglustat) is approved July 31 as second-line treatment to Genzyme's Cerezyme (imiglucerase) in adults for whom "enzyme replacement therapy is not an option." The firm estimates the eligible population at 200-300 patients. The product will be available to a limited number of physicians due to neuropathy concerns and pregnancy category X status. Actelion and Celltech are studying miglustat in type III Gaucher disease, Niemann-Pick type C and late onset Tay-Sachs..