Drugs

Sarepta Reports Death Linked to Elevidys

Sarepta Therapeutics says that a young man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) died following treatment with the company’s Elevidys (delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl), the only approved gene therapy for DMD patients. A company statement says the patient suffered acute liver failure. It says that acute liver injury is a known possible Elevidys side effect that is highlighted in the labeling.

“Although it is not a new safety signal and the benefit-risk of Elevidys remains positive, acute liver failure leading to death represents a severity of acute liver injury not previously reported for Elevidys, which to date has been used to treat more than 800 patients in clinical trials or as a prescribed therapy,” the statement says.

It says testing indicated the patient had a recent cytomegalovirus infection, which was identified by the treating doctor as a possible contributing factor.

Sarepta says the death has been reported to relevant health authorities, clinical study investigators, and prescribing doctors.

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