InterMune Inc.’s lung condition drug has got a priority review confirmation from FDA. The regulatory review has been speeded to six months from the usual 10 months.

The drug Pirfenidone treats idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a fatal lung disease. The disease is said to affect 200,000 people in the U. S. and Europe every year. Only 20 percent of patients survive five years with the disease. And till now, no drug is approved in US and Europe for this lung condition.

In year 2007, InterMune bought rights to sell the drug from Marnac Inc. and KDL GmbH and the company can now market the drug in U. S. and Europe.

The company’s shares slacked down 4 cents to $13. The response from FDA is expected by May 4.