NHLBI, National Institutes of Health
Livalo, from new U.S. drug industry player Kowa Pharmaceuticals, is set to become the latest entry in the already crowded anti-cholesterol drug market.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved Livalo, which contains the medication pitavastatin, for marketing. Livalo is classified as a statin, and it works by preventing the production of cholesterol in the liver.
When Livalo is launched in the United States next year, it will compete with such heavyweights as Lipitor and Crestor, Kowa believes that Livalo will find its niche in the treatment of older patients, patients with diabetes and patients who have other cardiovascular problems beyond clogged arteries. The company has studied Livalo's use in these patient populations extensively.
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