It was reported yesterday that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has granted breakthrough therapy designation to United States-based Celgene's Pomalyst (pomalidomide) intended for the treatment of HIV.

The designation has been granted for the product to treat patients with HIV-positive Kaposi sarcoma who have earlier received systemic chemotherapy, in addition to patients with HIV-negative Kaposi's sarcoma.

Pomalyst is one of the firm's IMiD agents for the treatment of some blood cancers. It is a thalidomide analogue indicated, in combination with dexamethasone, to treat patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies including lenalidomide and proteasome inhibitor.