Roche's Invirase (saquinavir) protease inhibitor gains full approval Sept. 27.
Executive Summary
ROCHE INVIRASE/HIVID COMBINATION REDUCES MORTALITY RISK BY 68% and risk of progression to first AIDS- defining event or death by 49% compared to saquinavir or zalcitabine (ddC) alone, according to data from a 940-patient Phase III clinical endpoint trial included in new labeling for the protease inhibitor. Saquinavir mesylate gained full approval Sept. 27 by FDA for use "in combination with nucleoside analogs...for the treatment of HIV infection."