US FDA Reviews Deaths Of Genentech Raptiva Patient

The FDA said it also was aware of a fourth possible case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in a Raptiva patient.

U.S. regulators have received three confirmed reports of a serious brain infection in patients treated with Genentech's psoriasis drug Raptiva, the Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday.

The FDA said it also was aware of a fourth possible case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in a Raptiva patient. Two of the patients with confirmed PML died, as did the patient with a possible case, the agency said.

The FDA said it was reviewing the information and "will take appropriate steps to ensure that the risks of Raptiva do not outweigh its benefits."