Drugs

Lilly Changes Alzheimer Study Endpoint

Lilly is changing the primary endpoint of its EXPEDITION3 clinical trial of its solanezumab in people with mild Alzheimer’s dementia. The company says that the original study design included co-primary endpoints of cognition and function. With emerging scientific evidence supporting the idea that cognitive decline precedes and predicts functional decline in Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in the early stages of the disease, Lilly is amending the trial to include a single primary endpoint of cognition. Functional outcomes will still be measured, the company says, and will be considered two secondary endpoints.

“It is important to note that the endpoint change affects the study’s data analysis plan, but it does not affect anything related to the actual conduct of the trial,” a company statement says. “Lilly will continue to remain blinded to study data until after the database lock occurs in the fourth quarter of 2016. Lilly understands that regulators globally will continue to view both cognitive and functional endpoints as necessary for clinical trials in people with mild Alzheimer’s dementia, and regulatory guidance has been to include these as co-primary endpoints. Lilly is submitting the EXPEDITION3 amendment to all appropriate regulatory authorities.

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