Routes of
administration Infusion Bioavailability N/A | ATC code A16AB10 (WHO) ChemSpider none | |
Legal status In general: ℞ (Prescription only) Biological half-life Plasma: 5–12 minutes (absorbed by macrophages) | ||
Velaglucerase alfa (trade name VPRIV), manufactured by Shire plc is a hydrolytic lysosomal glucocerebroside-specific enzyme, which is a recombinant form of glucocerebrosidase indicated as a long-term enzyme replacement therapy for those suffering of Gaucher disease Type 1. It has an identical amino acid sequence to the naturally occurring enzyme. It was approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 26, 2010.
Competitive products
Imiglucerase is Genzyme's version of recombinant glucocerebrosidase. It is marketed globally under the trade name of Cerezyme.
In addition, Protalix and Pfizer have received approval for marketing taliglucerase alpha in Israel, Brazil, Canada and the U.S. The companies are expected also to file for marketing authorization in Europe and elsewhere around the world.