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Controversial drug for preterm birth to be withdrawn, maker says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

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

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

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

FDA advisers back agency plan to simplify COVID-19 vaccination

The expert committee supported making primary and booster shots the same composition, while recommending periodic updates to better match the vaccines to circulating variants.

By Ned Pagliarulo , Jonathan Gardner • Updated Jan. 27, 2023

FDA advisers back Cidara and Melinta’s antifungal treatment

The drug, if approved, would be the first new treatment in more than a decade for two conditions that stem from Candida fungus.

By Kristin Jensen • Jan. 25, 2023

FDA weighs shift in COVID vaccination strategy

Agency scientists are proposing to update COVID shots once a year to match circulating coronavirus strains, as well as simplifying current vaccination regimens.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 23, 2023