Drugs

Novartis Wins Expanded Approval for Scemblix

FDA has granted an accelerated approval to Novartis for its supplemental NDA for Scemblix (asciminib) for the drug’s expanded use in treating newly diagnosed adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (Ph+ CML-CP). Currently, Scemblix is approved for adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP who have been treated previously with two or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

The submission was based on data from the Phase 3 ASC4FIRST study comparing Scemblix against investigator-selected (IS) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, and bosutinib), which are the standard-of-care (SoC). “Scemblix demonstrated superior major molecular response (MMR) rates in both primary endpoints at week 48 vs. IS SoC TKIs (68% vs. 49.0%) and imatinib alone (69% vs. 40%),” Novartis says. “In newly diagnosed patients, the safety profile was consistent with previous registration studies, with no new safety concerns observed.”

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