Biologics

FDA OKs Gene Therapy for Retinal Disease

FDA has approved a Neurotech Pharmaceuticals BLA for Encelto (revakinagene taroretcel-lwey) for treating macular telangiectasia Type 2 (MacTel), a neurodegenerative disease of the retina in adults that causes progressive and irreversible vision loss. The gene therapy uses an “encapsulated cell therapy technology designed to continually deliver therapeutic doses of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) to the retina to assist in slowing the progression of the disease,” the company says.

Approval is based on data from two Phase 3 trials which demonstrated that the implant significantly slowed the loss of macular photoreceptors in MacTel patients over 24 months, Neurotech says. The most common adverse reactions observed in the trial were conjunctival hemorrhage, delayed dark adaptation, foreign body sensation, eye pain, suture related complications, miosis, conjunctival hyperemia, eye pruritus, ocular discomfort, vitreous hemorrhage, blurred vision, headache, dry eye, eye irritation, cataract progression or formation, vitreous floaters, severe vision loss, eye discharge, anterior chamber cell, and iridocyclitis, 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