Thelin is the first selective endothelin A receptor antagonist, in the form of 100mg once-daily oral tablets.
Thelin is indicated for improving exercise capacity in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients classified as World Health Organization functional class III. Efficacy has been shown in primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease (CTD).
The European Commission’s centralized licensing procedure permits Encysive to market Thelin in all 27 member states of the EU. Thelin has already been launched in the UK, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands and will be launched in additional EU member states as local governmental approval for reimbursement is obtained.
Thierry Plouvier, vice president, Europe operations, for Encysive (UK), said: “Our European commercialization strategy continues as planned with the availability of Thelin to physicians and patients in France. Thelin is now available in 4 of the big 5 EU countries, adding an additional therapeutic option for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension to a significant share of patients in the EU.”