CHUGAI LAUNCHES 500-MG INVIRASE IN JAPAN

Chugai Pharmaceutical announced it has today launched a 500-mg tablet of the HIV drug Invirase (saquinavir mesilate), a protease inhibitor, in Japan. Each tablet will cost approximately $4.

Invirase, developed by Roche, was first introduced in Japan in 1997. Since its initial approval in the U.S. in 1995, the drug has been approved in more than 80 countries.

Accumulated postmarketing data concerning concomitant administration of Invirase and other HIV drugs show that treatment with Invirase along with Norvir (ritonavir) causes an increase in blood concentration of Invirase.

In order to improve patient compliance, Roche developed the 500-mg dosage to reduce the number of tablets that need to be taken at one time. The 500-mg tablet has been approved in more than 50 countries. Japanese regulators approved the drug on Sept. 1.