Drugs

FDA Accepts Pfizer sNDA for Xalkori Indication

FDA has accepted and granted priority review for a Pfizer sNDA for Xalkori (crizotinib) for treating pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) that is anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) positive. The agency granted breakthrough designation for the ALK-positive ALCL indication 5/2018. If the sNDA is approved, it would be the first biomarker-driven therapy for this type of pediatric lymphoma, a Pfizer statement says. The PDUFA goal date for an FDA decision is 1/2021.

Pfizer says Xalkori is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is indicated for treating patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors are ALK-positive or ROS1-positive as detected by an FDA-approved test.

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