Idenix gets positive opinion from Europe panel

Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. said today it gained a positive opinion from a European panel for its hepatitis B treatment.

This takes the treatment one step closer to final approval in Europe.

The company said the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use recommended Sebivo for approval. A final decision on the drug is expected within three months.

Sebivo is marketed in the United States as Tyzeka, which received Food and Drug Administration approval in October.

The drug is also approved in Canada, Switzerland, various other countries in Asia and Latin America and is being reviewed in China.

Swiss drug company Novartis Pharma AG helped Idenix develop the drug.

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that infects the liver. It can cause scarring, cancer and failure of the liver, as well as death. Idenix said the disease affects more than 350 million people globally and is a growing public health problem in Europe. (AP)