FDA
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ALS drug development
BrainStorm files ALS drug application over FDA protest
The medicine, a personalized stem cell treatment, will be reviewed by an FDA advisory committee sometime in the future, the company said.
By Ned Pagliarulo • March 27, 2023 -
FDA approves new antifungal as concerns grow over drug-resistant fungus
Rezzayo is the first new treatment for candidemia and invasive candidiasis to win FDA approval in years.
By Kristin Jensen • March 23, 2023 -
ALS drug development
FDA advisers support conditional clearance of Biogen’s ALS drug
Though the drug, called tofersen, missed the main goal of a key clinical trial, it showed an effect on a protein tied to ALS. Experts see that as a good sign, but some worry Biogen has not yet gathered enough supportive evidence.
By Jacob Bell • March 22, 2023 -
ALS drug development
FDA staff signal support for Biogen ALS drug, but highlight data hurdles
In documents released Monday, agency staff appeared inclined to approve Biogen’s tofersen, which failed in its main trial. Gathering confirmatory evidence of its benefit could be difficult, however.
By Jacob Bell , Ned Pagliarulo • Updated March 20, 2023 -
FDA reversal sets up high-stakes hearing on Sarepta gene therapy
The regulator will convene a panel of advisers to consult on an approval decision for the biotech’s Duchenne treatment, a change from just a few weeks ago when Sarepta had said a meeting wouldn’t be held.
By Ned Pagliarulo • March 17, 2023 -
FDA advisers back earlier use of Roche lymphoma drug
The positive vote comes despite doubts from FDA scientists and increases the chance that Polivy could soon be approved as a first-line treatment alongside a drug regimen called R-CHOP.
By Jonathan Gardner • March 10, 2023 -
Pfizer’s Biohaven deal pays dividends with new drug approval
The medicine, a nasal spray for migraines to be sold as Zavzpret, was a key part of Pfizer’s roughly $12 billion buyout of Biohaven last year.
By Ben Fidler • March 10, 2023 -
Controversial drug for preterm birth to be withdrawn, maker says
The decision by Covis Pharma closes a yearslong battle over continued use of Makena, the only treatment available for prevention of early labor.
By Delilah Alvarado • Updated March 8, 2023 -
BioMarin, as expected, sees delay to FDA review of hemophilia gene therapy
The agency is considering three-year follow-up data in its review of Roctavian, pushing back the potential U.S. arrival of BioMarin’s drug once again.
By Kristin Jensen • March 7, 2023 -
Deep Dive
FDA decision on preterm birth drug’s withdrawal nears, putting spotlight on patients, agency
A yearslong regulatory battle over the hormonal shot Makena is approaching its end, with consequences for both preterm birth prevention and the agency’s authority to withdraw drugs shown to be ineffective in follow-up testing.
By Delilah Alvarado • March 6, 2023 -
RSV vaccines
GSK’s RSV vaccine wins FDA panel backing, matching Pfizer
Committee members appeared more confident in their recommendation of GSK's shot, with fewer dissents in separate votes on its safety and effectiveness.
By Delilah Alvarado • March 2, 2023 -
FDA asks advisers to review Lynparza amid growing scrutiny of PARP drugs
The meeting to discuss Lynparza's use as a frontline treatment for prostate cancer follows a string of withdrawals for drugs in its class, and evidence it didn’t meaningfully extend survival in late-stage testing.
By Jonathan Gardner • March 2, 2023 -
RSV vaccines
Pfizer’s RSV vaccine gets lukewarm backing of FDA advisers
The panel voted 7-4 in favor of Pfizer’s shot, but also expressed concerns over its safety profile and what they viewed as holes in the company’s data.
By Delilah Alvarado • March 1, 2023 -
FDA approves Reata rare disease drug in controversial decision
The clearance, the first for a medicine for Friedreich’s ataxia, comes after years of questions about its benefit and sent the drugmaker’s shares soaring.
By Kristin Jensen • March 1, 2023 -
FDA rejects Cytokinetics’ heart failure drug
The biotech said the FDA was unconvinced by available study evidence and asked for data from an additional clinical trial, which the company currently does not plan to run.
By Christopher Newman • Feb. 28, 2023 -
Billy Dunn, FDA official in charge of neuroscience drug reviews, to leave agency
Dunn had become a controversial figure after his role in the FDA's review and approval of Biogen's Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated Feb. 27, 2023 -
CMS plans trio of experiments aimed at lowering drug costs
The pilot programs could allow adjusted payments for drugs cleared under accelerated approval and help states manage the costs of gene therapies.
By Christopher Newman • Feb. 15, 2023 -
GSK wins full approval for cancer immunotherapy, looks to expand use
The drugmaker converted Jemperli’s accelerated approval in endometrial cancer, while outside advisers endorsed its plan to study the Keytruda rival in rectal tumors.
By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 10, 2023 -
FDA offers former biotech unicorn Intarcia a chance for a panel review
Intarcia, which once held a multibillion-dollar valuation, deflated following the FDA’s 2017 and 2020 rejections of its drug-device combination for diabetes.
By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 9, 2023 -
FDA approves Gilead’s Trodelvy for expanded use in breast cancer
The agency’s OK is a win for Gilead, which has bet big on the drug. But the company will face tough competition from AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s fast-selling Enhertu.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 3, 2023 -
GSK secures FDA approval of anemia drug, but with limitations
The approval is a win for GSK as the FDA had previously rejected two similar drugs from Akebia Therapeutics and Fibrogen. But it comes with restrictions on its use and a safety warning.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 2, 2023 -
FDA to convene advisers on review of RSV vaccines from GSK, Pfizer
The agency is currently assessing applications filed by the two companies for what they hope will become the first vaccines against the virus in older adults.
By Delilah Alvarado • Updated Feb. 2, 2023 -
Head of FDA gene therapy office set to retire in March
Wilson Bryan, a key decision maker in the agency’s oversight of genetic medicines, is expected to leave next month amid an organizational revamp of his office, the FDA confirmed.
By Kristin Jensen • Feb. 1, 2023 -
FDA approves cancer drugs from Lilly, Menarini
The agency’s clearance of Jaypirca gives Lilly another win from its Loxo buyout, while Menarini Group’s bet on Radius Health’s oral SERD has now paid off with Orserdu’s OK.
By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated Jan. 31, 2023 -
Merck gets a ‘surprise’ win for Keytruda in early lung cancer
The FDA gave the top-selling immunotherapy a broad label in adjuvant lung cancer despite mixed results in the main supporting study, taking one Wall Street analyst by surprise.
By Ben Fidler • Jan. 27, 2023