Selzentry

Selzentry is a CCR5-blocking entry inhibitor manufactured by ViiV Healthcare, part of Phizer Labs. It is approved for people who have HIV strains that are resistant to multiple antiretroviral drugs and for people with drug-sensitive HIV strains.

Its goal as antiviral medication is to prevents certain viral cells from multiplying in your body.

Selzentry received accelerated approval on August 6, 2007, and traditional approval on November 25, 2008, by the FDA for the treatment of CCR5-tropic HIV Type 1 in adults (16 years old and above) when combined with other antiretroviral treatment. On September 24, 2007, the European medical community approved Selzentry under the brand name Celsentri. This medicine does not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS and does not reduce the risk of passing the virus to other people.

* Sales: 2008 - $46 million

* Forecasted at $500 million by 2011

It was approved for people who have HIV strains that are resistant to multiple antiretroviral drugs and for people with drug-sensitive HIV strains, such as those starting antiretroviral therapy for the first time.

Small studies have found evidence of reduction of cellular inflammation in the body. Cellular inflammation has been tied to a host of diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease and certain types of cancers.

HIV infects WBC called CD4 cells and uses them to make more copies of itself. In order to do this, the virus must first enter the CD4 cell. To enter the cell, HIV attaches to receptors on the surface of the CD4 cell.

Selzentry binds to a protein on the membrane of CD4 cells, called CCR5. Once it does this, HIV cannot successfully attach itself to the surface of CD4 cells, and is thus prevented from infecting healthy cells.

Selzentry has shown to increase CD4 cell count than a placebo. A slight variation exists when the drug is taken twice daily as opposed to once daily. Overall more clinical trials have confirmed Selzentry is most effective when it is taken twice daily.

Selzentry will only be effective at reducing viral load in people with HIV that uses the CCR5 receptor. If the viral attached to other receptors the drug is ineffective.

Selzentry holds promise for HIV-positive patients who no longer respond to other HIV drugs. Because Selzentry targets HIV differently than most currently available antiretrovirals, chances are that many people living with the virus will likely benefit from using Selzentry.

It costs about $13,140 - $26,280 yearly, compared to around $11,000 a year for competitive drug therapies. Due to the high price of therapy and sluggish initial sales, brand power will influence its success in the future. With many other cheaper drugs on the verge of final trials later this year, approval could lead to competition.

Selzentry