Shire receives self-administration approval for Firazyr

Shire's hereditary angioedema (HAE) treatment Firazyr has received approval in Europe to be self-administered by appropriately trained patients.

The European Commission has ratified the drug for self-administration after data from a phase IIIb trial showed that it offers consistent efficacy, whether delivered by this method or by a clinician.

Patients wishing to use the treatment in this way would first need to receive guidance in subcutaneous injection technique by a healthcare professional.

It means that Firazyr, which is available in 37 different countries, is now the only therapy for type I and II HAE attacks in Europe that is licensed for self-administration.

Philip Vickers, senior vice-president of research and development at Shire HGT, said: "Given the unpredictable and potentially life-threatening nature of attacks, a self-administered treatment for HAE can provide reassurance to patients that effective medication is close at hand to treat the attack."

Last month, the company published its financial report for 2010, a year which saw Shire achieve its best-ever annual sales performance.