Subject: Syntex Says Britain Clears Limited Use Of Antiviral Product
Date: Published: 7/6/88 37 lines
Source:  WALL STREET JOURNAL. Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc. 

   Syntex Says Britain
   Clears Limited Use
   Of Antiviral Product

   PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Syntex Corp. said regulators in the
United Kingdom approved limited marketing of its antiviral
compound, ganciclovir.
   The pharmaceutical concern said the approval permits use
of ganciclovir to treat cytomegalovirus infections in people
whose immune systems have been compromised, such as
transplant recipients and patients with acquired immune
deficiency syndrome.  Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, refers to a
common member of the herpes virus family, which typically
hasn't any significant effect on healthy adults but attacks
patients whose immune systems are compromised.
   While ganciclovir doesn't combat the AIDS virus, it is
thought to help fight an opportunistic infection known as CMV
retinitis, which has blinded many AIDS victims.
   Syntex said the drug will be available to physicians in
the United Kingdom in about six to eight weeks.
   Because of the drug's potentially serious side effects,
Syntex said, the U. K. approved treatment with ganciclovir
only in life or sight-threatening CMV infections.
   The drug, which is still experimental in all countries
except Britain, has been administered since 1984 to human
volunteers in the U. S. and abroad through a
"compassionate-use" program.

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