CoTherix, Inc, has recently announced the commercial availability of Ventavis® (iloprost) Inhalation Solution, for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with NYHA Class III or IV symptoms. Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in December 2004, Ventavis, an inhaled formulation of iloprost that is structurally similar to prostacyclins, provides PAH patients with a noninvasive treatment option that avoids the complications associated with intravenous or subcutaneous prostacyclin delivery. A recognized complication of lupus, PAH can be life-threatening and require heart-lung transplantation. Ventavis, licensed from Schering AG, is currently marketed by Schering AG in several European countries and Australia.