Genentech informed of a second fatal case of a rare brain infection known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), on a patient taking Raptiva (efalizumab).

Genentech, a biotech company controlled by Swiss drug maker Roche reported a second case of PML, resulting in the death of a 73-year old woman who had been given Raptiva for about four years.

Last month, California-based Genentech Inc. announced a fatal case of the disease for a 70 year old patient taking the psoriasis treatment (also for four years). Two weeks later the Food and Drug Administration recommended Genentech to include a “black box” in Raptiva's label, prompting U.S. regulators to order warnings alerting doctors to the risk.

German Merck KGaA, in charge of marketing Raptiva in Europe, said it was working with European Union regulators to solve the issue.

The drug generated sales of $77 million during the first nine months of 2008, while Merck KGaA earned $105 million dollars for the same period.