Drugs

CalciMedica Advancing Covid-19 Drug Trial

CalciMedica says it is transitioning an ongoing randomized open-label study to a blinded placebo-controlled trial for Auxora (formerly called CM4620-IE) in patients with Covid-19 pneumonia. The move was recommended by FDA after reviewing a submission of a recent interim analysis of Auxora in patients suffering from severe Covid-19 pneumonia. The interim analysis was conducted by CalciMedica following an Independent safety review committee recommendation to continue the study, the company says.

Auxora is described by CalciMedica as a potent and selective small molecule calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel inhibitor that prevents CRAC channel overactivation. It has been shown that CRAC channel overactivation can cause pulmonary endothelial damage and cytokine storm in Covid-19, it says.

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