An FDA advisory committee unanimously recommended approval this afternoon of a novel AIDS drug made by Pfizer called maraviroc, which may offer a new option for patients resistant to older medicines. Although the agency must still decide whether to approve the drug, FDA officials usually follow panel recommendations

Maraviroc should be permitted for patients who have failed to reduce levels of the virus with current treatments, the panel decided. Some Wall Streeters think Maraviroc, which will be marketed as Celsentri, may generate up to $145 million in sales next year, if approved.

“The drug is needed by a certain portion of the population, and I think the benefits and risks clearly support its approval as soon as possible,” said Peter Havens, a member of the panel and professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Source: Bloomberg News[tags]AIDS, Pfizer[/tags]