FDA Policy/General

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Aptevo Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing novel immuno-oncology and hematology therapeutics, has completed the sale of three of its marketed products (WinRho SDF, HepaGam B, and Varizig) to Saol Therapeutics for $74.5 million.

Mallinckrodt has acquired InfaCare Pharmaceutical Corp., a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on development and commercialization of proprietary pharmaceuticals for neonatal and pediatric patient populations, for $425 million. If approved, InfaCare's developmental product stannsoporfin is expected to become the first and only pharmacologic option indicated for treating neonates at risk for developing severe jaundice.

Quest Diagnostics has agreed to acquire the Shiel Medical Laboratory business from Fresenius Medical Care for an undisclosed amount. Shiel is a clinical laboratory provider serving the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. Fresenius Medical Care’s dialysis-related laboratory services business, Spectra Labs, is not affected by the divestiture.

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