FDA
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News roundup
Ipsen’s $450M blood cancer drug; FDA selects first cohort for “pre-check” pilot program
The planned acquisition of Kartos Therapeutics would hand Ipsen a late-stage asset for myelofibrosis. Elsewhere, Sobi hit a regulatory setback and BeOne unveiled more positive Brukinsa data.
By By BioPharma Dive staff • June 30, 2026 -
Viridian may have edge over Amgen in eye drug showdown, analysts argue
The FDA, through a new approval, gave Viridian's drug a label that some on Wall Street believe makes it well-positioned to compete against Tepezza in the thyroid eye disease market.
By Delilah Alvarado • June 30, 2026 -
Top FDA gene and cell therapy regulator to step down
Following Vijay Kumar’s exit, acting CBER Director Karim Mikhail will also oversee a review office that has become a battleground for debates on FDA flexibility.
By Jonathan Gardner • June 30, 2026 -
On second try, Acadia drug gets nod from European regulators
The influential CHMP committee also threw its support behind more than a dozen other medicines while recommending the marketing authorization for Tavneos be revoked.
By Jonathan Gardner • June 26, 2026 -
Ionis, with new FDA nod, hits a ‘commercial inflection point’
Historically seen as a "platform monetization story," according to one analyst, Ionis now has a potential multibillion-dollar medicine in Tryngolza, which secured expanded approval Wednesday.
By Delilah Alvarado • June 24, 2026 -
China competition
HHS, responding to China’s rise, moves to fast-track early drug research
A series of newly planned reforms are designed to entice companies to start early trials in the U.S. rather than overseas.
By Jonathan Gardner • June 23, 2026 -
Regenxbio to resubmit gene therapy as FDA backtracks on another drug rejection
The agency took another step toward clearing a backlog of Makary-era rejections that appeared to contradict earlier agreements with drugmakers.
By Jonathan Gardner • June 22, 2026 -
Vaccines
Moderna flu vaccine wins unanimous support from FDA panel
The endorsement of an advisory committee positions Moderna to complete a dramatic turnaround for a shot the FDA declined to review earlier this year.
By Delilah Alvarado • June 18, 2026 -
UniQure to file gene therapy for approval, reflecting major shifts at FDA
The decision marks another regulatory U-turn following the exits of Marty Makary and Vinay Prasad, suggesting to some analysts that current FDA leadership may be more flexible in certain cases.
By Jacob Bell • June 17, 2026 -
Vaccines
FDA staff scrutinizes evidence supporting Moderna’s flu vaccine
Ahead of a Thursday advisory panel meeting, agency scientists highlighted shortcomings in data accrued for a vaccine the FDA controversially refused to even review earlier this year.
By Delilah Alvarado • June 16, 2026 -
Replimune takes third swing at cancer drug approval following ‘productive’ FDA talks
A twice-spurned therapy that’s been seen as one of the FDA’s more controversial recent rejections is getting a new chance following the resignation of former commissioner Marty Makary.
By Jacob Bell • May 29, 2026 -
Trump administration
Can a chaotic FDA still deliver on faster drug development?
As leadership changes create more instability at the FDA, here’s what one former agency official thinks it will take to keep speedier drug approvals on track.
By Kelly Bilodeau • May 29, 2026 -
GSK, Ionis unveil data for hepatitis B drug touted as ‘functional cure’
The findings supporting bepirovirsen were deemed a “historic moment” by physicians and validate a drug that has “clear blockbuster potential,” according to one analyst.
By Jonathan Gardner • May 28, 2026 -
FDA delays decision on AstraZeneca breast cancer pill
The review extension comes weeks after an advisory panel found the evidence supporting the drug, camizestrant, inconclusive in what would be a new kind of treatment setting.
By Delilah Alvarado • May 27, 2026 -
FDA hold puts Aardvark Prader-Willi drug in limbo
The company plans to unblind the late-stage study that was halted due to safety concerns, which could lead to an overhaul of its entire development program.
By Jonathan Gardner • May 15, 2026 -
Trump administration
FDA’s leadership void leaves biotech with renewed ‘uncertainty’
Marty Makary's resignation leaves the agency with temporary directors in three top positions, and a number of newly instituted policies with an unclear future.
By Jonathan Gardner • May 13, 2026 -
Trump administration
FDA chief Marty Makary resigns from agency, ending tumultuous tenure
Makary’s exit ends a turbulent run marred by leadership upheaval, mass layoffs, political pressure and public spats with drugmakers.
By Ben Fidler • May 12, 2026 -
UniQure, in ‘symbolic’ win, to seek UK approval of Huntington’s gene therapy
News of the submission, which would be the first for UniQure’s closely watched treatment, comes as the therapy faces an uncertain future in the U.S.
By Delilah Alvarado • April 30, 2026 -
Trump administration
RFK Jr. defends HHS tenure, 12% proposed budget cut
Republicans largely praised the HHS secretary’s track record during a marathon of House hearings last week, but some raised concerns about proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health.
By Emily Olsen • April 20, 2026 -
Trump administration
Erica Schwartz, ex-deputy surgeon general, picked to be next CDC director
If confirmed by the Senate, Schwartz could finally fill a void for an agency that’s cycled through multiple leaders over the last year.
By Delilah Alvarado • April 16, 2026 -
Trump administration
FDA moves toward easing restrictions on certain peptides
The agency’s decision to hold an advisory committee meeting on the topic comes after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told podcaster Joe Rogan he’s a “big fan” of peptides.
By Kristin Jensen • April 16, 2026 -
Obesity drugs
Lilly’s new obesity pill passes heart safety test in diabetes
The findings, which come amid FDA scrutiny of Foundayo’s safety, will enable Lilly to seek a new clearance in diabetes.
By Jonathan Gardner • April 16, 2026 -
FDA asks Lilly to evaluate obesity pill’s liver risk
The request, which is part of a just-released approval letter for Foundayo, comes amid an intensifying marketing battle between Lilly and Novo.
By Jonathan Gardner • April 15, 2026 -
Travere wins long-awaited approval for kidney disease drug
The clearance of Filspari in a condition known as FSGS ends a winding regulatory journey and unlocks a revenue opportunity believed to be worth more than $1 billion annually.
By Delilah Alvarado • April 14, 2026 -
FDA again spurns Replimune melanoma drug
In a statement late Friday, CEO Sushil Patel disputed the FDA’s criticisms of the company and said Replimune had received “inconsistent communications.” It’ll be forced to cut jobs as well.
By Ben Fidler • Updated April 13, 2026