Specialist pharma group Clinigen's (LON:CLIN) Foscavir drug has been recognised by the Food & Drug Administration - as it received a new award from the huge US body.
Clinigen has been awarded the drug shortage assistance award from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in recognition of its contribution in addressing the US shortage of Foscavir injection.
Foscavir is used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with AIDS and herpes infections.
Working with drug manufacturers, the FDA helped prevent over 280 drug shortages in 2012 and 170 in 2013.
There were 44 new drug shortages in 2013, the firm said.
Clinigen's chief executive Peter George said: "To be the recipient of this new award from the FDA is a great honour and absolutely reflects Clinigen's mission to ensure that the right drug reaches the right patient at the right time.
"Since acquiring Foscavir from AstraZeneca in 2010, we have worked hard to expand the indications and markets for the drug to increase the number of patients who can benefit.
"It is a real compliment that the FDA is committed to working with companies, like Clinigen, to prevent and mitigate drug shortages."