FDA panel recommends approval of Shire's Firazyr

DUBLIN — A Food and Drug Administration expert panel has recommended approval of a drug made by Shire for a rare immune system disorder, the drug maker said.

Shire said the FDA’s Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee recommended approval of Firazyr (icatibant) for treating acute hereditary angioedema attacks in adults. The committee also voted 11-1 to recommend approval of self-administration of the drug by patients.

HAE is a genetic and potentially fatal immune system disorder that causes swelling of the face and airways and result in airway blockage.

The FDA is not obligated to follow the recommendations made by advisory committees, but generally considers them when deciding whether or not to grant approval to a drug.