Drugs

FDA Orders Partial Clinical Hold on BioCryst Therapy

A 4/8 BioCryst voluntary decision to pause enrollment in clinical trials of its oral Factor D inhibitor, BCX9930, has transitioned to an FDA partial clinical hold. In a 5/5 quarterly financial report, the company says the hold was related to observed elevations in serum creatinine seen in some patients. BCX9930 is currently being studied in patients with C3 glomerulopathy, immunoglobulin A nephropathy and primary membranous nephropathy.

“Preliminary evidence from the investigation points to both the 500 mg twice-daily dosing level and the immediate start of that dose, without a period at a lower dose first, as plausible contributory factors for the observed increases in serum creatinine,” the company says. “Based on the initial results of the investigation, and the safety and efficacy data observed in the BCX9930 clinical program at 400 mg twice-daily, the company plans to discuss with regulators whether clinical trials with amended protocols could resume using stepped dosing to 400 mg twice-daily. The company expects to have discussions with regulators by the end of the third quarter.”

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