Egrifta (tesamorelin injections) seems headed for FDA approval. The drug treats the accumulation of excess deep visceral belly fat (a type of lipohypertrophy)—a side effect of living with HIV and taking some HIV meds.

In late May, an FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended approval. The panel also recommended more study of Egrifta, citing three problems that surfaced in clinical trials: an increase in blood glucose levels and diabetes risk, a rise in the blood of a substance called insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1, known to promote tumor growth), and a lack of evidence that Egrifta reduces cardiovascular disease risk. At press time, FDA approval was expected any day.

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