From
BusinessWeek:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved top-selling
Abilify as a treatment for autism-related irritability in children from the ages of 6 to 17, drug maker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said Friday.
Abilify is Bristol-Myers' second-biggest revenue generator, with $2.2 billion in 2008 sales.
The FDA's latest approval allows the drug to be used to treat symptoms associated with autism such as aggression toward others, deliberate infliction of self-injury, tempter tantrums and moodiness.
The companies said in a statement that it was intended to be used as part of a more comprehensive treatment program that includes educational, psychological and social aspects.
Several other drug companies sell medications that compete with Abilify for customers. One is Schering-Plough Corp.'s Saphris, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Others include Pfizer Inc.'s
Geodon, Johnson & Johnson's
Risperdal, AstraZeneca PLC's
Seroquel and Eli Lilly & Co.'s
Zyprexa. The drugs have combined sales of well over $15 billion a year.