NeurogesX seeks expanded approval for Qutenza

SAN MATEO, Calif. A company that develops drugs for pain is hoping to get approval of one of its drugs for a pain condition associated with HIV.

NeurogesX announced Monday that it would seek Food and Drug Administration approval for the drug Qutenza (capsaicin) as a treatment for HIV-associated neuropathy, also called HIV-AN or HIV-distal sensory polyneuropathy, in the first half of 2011. The drug, a patch, already is approved for post-herpetic neuralgia. HIV-AN results from injury to sensory neurons by HIV virus proteins, the body’s immune response to the virus and some drugs used to treat it.

“As a company, we are focused on addressing unmet medical needs in pain and have made significant progress toward this goal with the U.S. launch of Qutenza,” NeurogesX president and CEO Anthony DiTonno said. “Our decision to submit a supplemental [application] to address the HIV-AN patient population is important as there are currently no FDA-approved treatments for HIV-AN.”