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The HIV drug Fuzeon showed encouraging results when used over a longer term than previously studied, and could be made available for more patients than previously anticipated, according to its maker, Roche. A 24-week study of the drug showed that patients who took it, in combination with standard drugs, were twice as likely to achieve undetectable HIV levels, as well as double the increase in their immune cell count, compared with patients whose therapy did not contain Fuzeon.

Roche said those results have now been sustained when the drug is taken over a 48- week period. The study found that the greatest benefit is seen when Fuzeon is used earlier rather than later, said Roche. The length of time that HIV levels were undetectable was also found to be three times longer for patients taking the drug combination that contained Fuzeon than those whose medication excluded the drug. Roche previously said the supply of Fuzeon would cover between 12,000 and 15,000 patients by year's end; it has now revised that estimate to 18,000 patients.

Editor's Note: from the Wall Street Journal