Drugs

Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee to Review 2 Drugs

Federal Register notice: FDA has announced a 3/29 Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting that will review a Genentech BLA for rituximab/hyaluronidase injection for subcutaneous use. The proposed indications are for: (1) Treating patients with relapsed or refractory, follicular lymphoma as a single agent; (2) previously untreated follicular lymphoma in combination with first line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to rituximab/hyaluronidase for subcutaneous injection in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy; (3) non- progressing (including stable disease), follicular lymphoma as a single agent after first-line cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy; (4) treating patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone (CHOP) or other anthracycline based chemotherapy regimens; and (5) in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, for treating patients with previously untreated and previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In the afternoon session, the panel will review an Array BioPharma NDA for binimetinib, indicated for treating patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, with NRAS Q61 mutation as detected by an FDA- approved test, who have received prior treatment with a checkpoint inhibitor therapy. To view the notice, click here.

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