US FDA approves Genentech's Esbriet and Boehringer Ingelheim's Ofev for IPF

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Esbriet (pirfenidone), from Roche (SIX: ROG) subsidiary Genentech, as a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

IPF is a fatal disease caused by progressive scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs, which makes breathing difficult and prevents the heart, muscles and vital organs from receiving enough oxygen to work properly.

Sandra Horning, chief medical officer and head of global product development, said: “This is a historic day for the people and their families in the United States who live with this deadly, incurable disease. With today’s approval of Esbriet in the United States, people with IPF finally have an FDA-approved medicine that may slow the worsening of the disease.”