Ventavis (iloprost) is the newest entry into the prostacyclin class of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatments. Prior to the introduction of Ventavis, prostacyclin therapies for PAH required continuous delivery through subcutaneous or intravenous routes – invasive treatments which are difficult to tolerate and/or require complicated maintenance.
“Now that Ventavis is broadly available in the US, patients can receive the benefits of a prostacyclin without the needles and catheters associated with the infused prostacyclin treatments,” said Donald Santel, CEO of CoTherix. “We’re pleased to deliver this important therapy to the PAH community ahead of our formal launch in early April.”
Santel added, “Based on the positive results from our STEP trial evaluating the combination of Ventavis added to Tracleer therapy, we believe there is an opportunity for Ventavis to be used early in the course of the disease.”
Ventavis is currently marketed by Schering AG in several European countries and Australia. CoTherix licensed exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Ventavis in the US from Schering AG in October 2003 and filed a new drug application (NDA) in June 2004.