CF Foundation Plays Important Role in Bringing New Inhaled Antibiotic Cayston® to Patients
February 22, 2010
I have been on Aztreonam now since about June of 08 I was part of the early release program and I ABSOLUTELY love it! It's nebulized 3x a day with the E flow and takes about 3 min. You do it on your off months from TOBI. I really feel like it's made a difference in my life and I am excited for it to help the rest of you!
U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an important new inhaled antibiotic called Cayston® (aztreonam for inhalation solution) today for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). The drug was made possible by significant support from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, including a $1 million investment by a Foundation subsidiary to help develop the therapy.
Developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc., Cayston offers a much-needed antibiotic alternative for CF patients who battle recurrent lung infections and develop resistance to existing antibiotics. Lung infections are the leading cause of death in CF.
Cayston is the first CF drug to advance — from beginning to end — through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Therapeutics Development Program, which is designed to speed the creation of new CF therapies. In addition, Cystic Fibrosis Services, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Foundation, will be one of only several pharmacies in the country distributing the drug.
Cayston will be available by the end of next week.
“The approval of Cayston demonstrates that our drug development model is working and making a real difference in the lives of people with cystic fibrosis,” said Robert J. Beall, Ph.D. president and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “We are delighted to have a new antibiotic in the arsenal to help fight the life-threatening infections associated with this disease, as we continue to push forward with other therapies that address the underlying cause of CF.”
The Foundation supported Cayston at each stage of development, from providing an initial therapeutics development award, to making the Foundation’s clinical trials network available to test the drug in patients, to advocating with the FDA for the drug’s approval.
“The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s early funding and ongoing support for Cayston played an important role in bringing this new therapy to patients,” said Bruce Montgomery, M.D., senior vice president, head of Respiratory Therapeutics, Gilead Sciences. “We are thrilled to help meet an urgent medical need for CF patients, and to support the Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of people with this terrible disease.”
Cayston is administered with a new device called Altera that allows patients to take the medicine in less than five minutes, a fraction of the time required for other inhaled antibiotics. This shortened delivery time reduces the burden on patients, who — on average — have a treatment regimen of three to four hours per day.
Patients interested in learning more about Cayston should consult their physicians.
5 comments:
Thank you!
andrea
I had a little hand held nebulizer (can't remember what kind) but it was more efficient and nebulized really quick! It was so easy to take my treatments with it! I am glad you are feeling noticeably better :) Ya for new drugs!
That's super cool Cuz!
I can't wait to get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
I'm on the extended program as well, but was told NOT to do Tobi during my off months. Though, I'm on Colistin, so that can be why. I no longer take Colistin though because it does more harm then good now. Makes me to where I can't exhale out as well. Tobi does the same, though I was on Tobi from 1997-2009.
The cost of Cayston is gonna make Tobi look like penny cash. Hope the insurance companies are ready. The Pari eFlow (the one for Cayston) that I have cost $1,700, luckily I got it through the study program. Which I'm sure I'll have to return.
Jesse
Post a Comment