Pfizer Drug Could Be First Of Wave Of Nucleic Medicines Approved In Japan
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Biotechnology methods of finding new ways to fight diseases are part of a growing business move in Japan as major drug makers take a nucleic-acid approach to drugs. The new treatment strategy is expected to reach a milestone when Pfizer receives approval from the Health Ministry for its age-related macular degeneration drug Macugen (pegaptanib), probably later this month. The drug relies on aptamers, synthetic molecules of a certain shape to bind better with targeted proteins. The head of Ribomic, a Tokyo bioventure, said approval of Macugen is likely to spur development in Japan. (Click here for more - a subscription may be required