Drugs

FDA Hits Ipsen with Complete Response on Palovarotene

FDA has issued Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals a complete response letter on its NDA for palovarotene, an investigational treatment for reducing new abnormal bone formation (heterotopic ossification) in people living with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). The ultra-rare disease causes permanent and continuous bone formation in soft and connective tissues like muscles, tendons and ligaments.

The letter reiterates a 10/22 request for additional information related to palovarotene’s clinical trial data, the company says. It expects to respond to the data request before 3/31.

In late October, FDA postponed a 10/31 Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting that was scheduled to review palovarotene. The company says the agency has not announced a new date for the panel meeting.

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