Drugs

Bipartisan Push Seeks Boost in ALS Research

Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO) is leading a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a push to significantly expand federal funding for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research in the upcoming 2026 fiscal year budget. The move aims to accelerate efforts on effective treatments and a cure for the neurodegenerative disease.

In a letter signed by 61 members of Congress, Crow urged key House appropriators to prioritize funding increases across several federal agencies involved in ALS research and patient care — including FDA, NIH, and CDC.

Crow’s proposal includes:

$25 million for FDA’s Rare Neurodegenerative Disease Grant Program: Created under the ACT for ALS Act, this program supports the development and regulatory approval of new therapies for ALS and similar conditions.
$180 million for ALS research at NIH: A major increase from current funding levels, this would also maintain $75 million in “Expanded Access Grants” for ALS patients not eligible for clinical trials, in line with the ACT for ALS law.
$15 million for the CDC’s National ALS Registry and Biorepository: The funding would support data collection, biological sample storage, and new research initiatives — including an additional $5 million focused on studying ALS among military personnel and veterans.

The letter builds on Crow’s longstanding advocacy for ALS patients. In recent years, he has championed legislation to expand treatment access, eliminate insurance delays, and raise awareness through initiatives like designating May as ALS Awareness Month and co-founding the bipartisan ALS Caucus.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome