Drugs

Orphan Designation for Retinal Gene Therapy

FDA has granted an orphan drug designation for its novel gene therapy (OCU400) for treating the CEP290 mutation-associated retinal disease. Inherited retinal diseases are caused by genetic mutations that are passed down within families and lead to visual impairment and blindness. Mutations in CEP290 have been associated with different diseases including Leber Congenital Amaurosis, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, Joubert syndrome, Senior-Loken syndrome and Meckel-Gruber syndrome, the company says.

"The nuclear hormone receptor gene, NR2E3, plays a major role in modulating numerous biological pathways that are essential for maintaining the healthy status of the retina, both anatomically and functionally,” the company says. It says the gene therapy is designed to supply an elevated level of NR2E3 to target cells in the retina using an adeno-associated viral vector.

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

Read more

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