Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Houston, announced the commercial availability of Thelin (sitaxentan sodium) in France for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Thelin, a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist, is indicated for improving exercise capacity in PAH patients classified as World Health Organization (WHO) functional class III. Efficacy has been shown in primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease (CTD).
Though it is not available in United States, Encysive is working with the FDA to design a protocol for Phase 3 clinical trials. Thelin has already been launched in the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands.
