National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in England and Wales Recommends Esbriet for Mild to Moderate IPF

InterMune

today reported that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the health technology appraisal body in England and Wales, has issued its Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) recommending Esbriet® (pirfenidone) for the treatment of mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The company estimates that approximately 6,100 to 9,500 mild-to-moderate IPF patients are living with IPF in England and Wales. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120827/SF62570LOGO) Dan Welch, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of InterMune, said, "The positive recommendation by NICE means that patients in England and Wales and their families living with IPF will now have access to the only approved treatment for this unpredictable and fatal lung disease.  This is an important step forward for patients, clinicians and the IPF community in England and Wales and we look forward to beginning the launch of Esbriet there this summer." The NICE Appraisal Committee recommended pirfenidone as an option for treating IPF patients whose predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) is between 50 percent and 80 percent at the initiation of therapy.  Treatment with pirfenidone for these patients should be discontinued if there is evidence