Posted by Michael Wonder on 14 Jul 2017
FDA grants fast track designation to VT-1598 for treatment of Valley fever
13 July 2017 - Viamet Pharmaceuticals today announced that the U.S. FDA has granted fast track designation to VT-1598, a novel oral agent for the treatment of coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever.
Valley Fever is an invasive fungal infection that is highly concentrated in the San Joachin Valley in California (where Coccidioides immitis is the predominant pathogen). It is also present in central and southern Arizona, western Texas, southern New Mexico, and parts of Mexico and Central and South America (where Coccidioides posadasii is the predominant pathogen). Infection occurs by inhalation of the microscopic fungal spores from the air in the affected regions.
Current therapies for Valley Fever are limited by significant safety concerns, drug interactions and poor efficacy.
