Esbriet offers additional benefit, says German G-BA

16 March 2012

USA-based InterMune (Nasdaq: ITMN) says that the German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has announced its decision granting the additional benefit of Esbriet (pirfenidone) in adults for the treatment of mild-to-moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), with the news sending its shares price 15% higher to $17 in morning trading yesterday.

Esbriet's additional benefit was classified as stage 4 (not quantifiable benefit) in the rating system established under Germany's AMNOG (Arzneimittelmarkt-Neuordnungsgesetz) pharmaceutical law. A non-quantifiable benefit means that the drug has an additional benefit, which will be defined in the future via experience in daily clinical use or clinical studies. Based on this, a stage of 1-3 will be assigned. G-BA is the highest decision-making body of the self-governing health care system in Germany.

Overrules IQWiG decision

This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free. A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.

Try before you buy

Free

7 day trial access

Take a Free Trial

All the news that moves the needle in pharma and biotech
Exclusive features, podcasts, interviews, data analyses and commentary from our global network of life sciences reporters.
Receive The Pharma Letter daily news bulletin, free forever.

Become a subscriber

£820

Or £77 per month

Subscribe Now

Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription

The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed

Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK