Drugs

FDA Approves Catalyst Firdapse for LEMS

FDA has approved a Catalyst Pharmaceuticals NDA for Firdapse (amifampridine) 10 mg tablets for treating adults with Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS), a rare autoimmune disease that affects about 1 in 100,000 people in the U.S. The most common LEMS symptoms are proximal muscle weakness and fatigue. Symptoms can be life threatening when the weakness involves respiratory muscle, according to the company.

Approval was based on data from two Phase 3 studies where patients treated with Firdapse “experienced rapid, significant and sustained improvements in muscle function, and reduced weakness and fatigability compared to patients receiving placebo,” Catalyst says. Firdapse had previously received an Orphan Drug designation and a Breakthrough Therapy designation, as well as a priority review from FDA.

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