The newest crop of blockbuster medications is likely to include several drugs that will aid people experiencing complications from HIV disease, its treatment, and other related conditions, pharmaceutical experts say. Among the most-anticipated drugs in development with potential for HIVers are:
>Cholesterol fighters. Aegerion Pharmaceuticals' Lomitapide, currently in Phase III trials, is expected to join category leaders upon its approval.
>Diabetes treatments. MannKind Corporation's experimental insulin inhaler Afresa has been shown to be as effective as injectable insulin while being easier to use.
>Cancer treatments. A monoclonal antibody in development by Bristol-Myers Squibb has shown potential in stunting tumor growth by shutting off blood supplies to cancer cells. It has the potential to treat breast, liver, renal, and skin cancers.
Other categories expected to see potential blockbusters are immune system suppressants and antipsychotic drugs as well as treatments for high blood pressure, asthma, heartburn, blood-clotting disorders, and multiple sclerosis.
