FDA says experimental anti-HIV drug is effective

Boehringer Ingelheim's experimental anti-HIV drug is effective in some drug-resistant patients when used in combination with Abbott Laboratories' Norvir, U.S. regulatory staff said in documents released on Wednesday. Data for the Boehringer protease inhibitor, called Aptivus, previously known as tipranavir, "provide evidence of the additional antiviral effect over currently available antiretroviral regimens in a population which are 'heavily pretreated,' " Food and Drug Administration reviewers said. (Reuters)