Pirfenidone is a novel anti-fibrotic drug which through clinical trials has shown to slow down progression of this terminal disease and stabilize lung function.
Cipla said that Pirfenex will be manufactured at its manufacturing facility in Himachal Pradesh, India which is approved by WHO, MCC -South Africa and TGA – Australia.
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy, Center for Rare Lung Diseases director Luca Richeldi said that the patients affected by IPF have a poor prognosis, and until now no drugs have been approved to treat IPF.
"Pirfenidone represents the first concrete chance of slowing down disease progression. The effect on increasing progression free survival, as showed in three combined studies, coupled with an acceptable safety profile, opens up a new path for better management of IPF," Richeld said.