Sales of Merck KGaA's psoriasis drug Raptiva should be suspended in light of serious brain infections confirmed in three patients, European authorities recommended on Thursday, according to Reuters. The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) said a committee had "concluded that the benefits of Raptiva no longer outweigh its risks, because of safety concerns" following the instances of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML. The European Commission will consider the advice. It usually follows EMEA recommendations. U.S. regulators said they were reviewing the cases of the brain infection, as well as another possible case. Two of the patients with confirmed PML died, as did the patient with a possible case, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. Merck KGaA, which markets Raptiva in Europe, said it would work with European authorities "to undertake all necessary measures to comply with the EMEA recommendations." Genentech Inc, which markets Raptiva in the United States, is developing a plan to minimize the drug's risks, company spokeswoman Tara Cooper said. Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG owns a majority stake in Genentech and is attempting to acquire the remaining shares. Merck KGaA said 2008 sales of Raptiva totaled 93 million euros ($118.1 million). Genentech said its Raptiva sales were about $108 million for 2008. Merck shares fell 2 percent in German trading. Genentech shares gained 0.4 percent in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange (1 euro=$1.26956).
