Sales of psoriasis drug may be halted

The psoriasis treatment Raptiva represents less than 1 percent of Genentech's total revenue, according to one analyst. (Fred Merz/The New York Times)

SAN FRANCISCO - European regulators recommended suspending sales of Genentech Inc.'s psoriasis treatment Raptiva after the drug was linked to four cases of a deadly brain infection.

The Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency have received reports of three confirmed cases and one possible case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients taking Raptiva, the agencies said. Three of the patients died. The South San Francisco-based company reported its second patient death from the infection in November.

Raptiva's removal from the market would have a "very limited impact" on Genentech, a Sanford C. Bernstein analyst told investors. Raptiva is one of Genentech's smallest products, with US sales of $108 million in 2008.

The FDA added a boxed warning, its strictest caution, to the prescribing information for Raptiva in October. The agency is reviewing the new information. Genentech is "working diligently with the FDA to put the right plans in place that will help protect patient safety," said a spokeswoman.