The FDA has approved a request by Glaxo Holdings plc to starta compassionate use program for the anti-AIDS drug 3TC,which has been developed by the Canadian biopharmaceuticalcompany BioChem Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:BCHXF).

BioChem spokesman Jean-Yves Duthel said that Glaxo, BioChemPharma's development partner, initiated the compassionate useprogram on Tuesday. The program will allow doctors toprescribe the drug, a nucleoside analog, to patients who meetcertain criteria, essentially the same as those approved by theCanadian Health Protection Branch last week (see BioWorld, Oct.25). -- Jennifer Van Brunt

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