FDA approves drug to treat dangerously low blood pressure

The US Food and Drug Administration today approved Giapreza (angiotensin II) injection for intravenous infusion to increase blood pressure in adults with septic or other distributive shock.

News of the approval sent the shares of the drug’s developer, La Jolla Pharmaceutical (Nasdaq: LJPC), rocketing 10.52% to $31.24.

“We appreciate FDA’s rapid review and approval of Giapreza and are especially grateful to the patients, families and dedicated critical care teams who made the development of Giapreza possible,” said George Tidmarsh, president and chief executive of La Jolla. “We look forward to bringing this new treatment option to the many critically ill patients suffering from septic or other distributive shock.”+