Drugs

Rare Disease Status for Hyperoxaluria Drug: META

FDA has granted META Pharmaceuticals a rare pediatric disease designation for META-001-PH, an investigational drug for treating primary hyperoxaluria (PH), rare genetic disorder that can lead to kidney stone formation, renal failure, and can be life-threatening in severe cases. Those with PH overproduce oxalate that is then deposited in the body due to defects in enzymes responsible for oxalate metabolism in the liver and other organs, the company says.

META says that preclinical data have shown that META-001-PH can significantly reduce urinary oxalate excretion by up to 80%. “While existing therapeutic agents are unable to effectively control urinary oxalate levels in the long term, META-001-PH, administered orally daily, can maintain oxalate at normal levels, thus demonstrating the potential for better long-term control of kidney stone formation in patients with PH,” it says. “META-001-PH has also demonstrated good tolerability and safety in preclinical animal models and is undergoing IND-enabling toxicology studies with a clinical Phase I safety assessment on healthy subjects planned for the [first quarter in 2025] in Australia.”

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