HEALTH : Genetic-Altered Drug Approved
From Times Wire Services
WASHINGTON —
The Food and Drug Administration today approved a new genetically engineered drug to treat a rare, life-threatening immune disorder that strikes mostly boys.
People with chronic granulomatous disease, or CGD, are missing a key element of the immune system, leaving them susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections and reliant on high doses of antibiotics.
The FDA said the new therapy is the first approved genetically engineered form of gamma interferon, a naturally occurring, infection-fighting protein produced by certain types of white blood cells.
Genentech Inc. of South San Francisco will market the drug under the brand name Actimmune.
The drug needs to be injected only three times a week in most cases.
