Drugs

Tremfya 80% Response Rate in Ulcerative Colitis: Janssen

Janssen Pharmaceutical says new data show that patients given Tremfya (guselkumab) saw a clinical response rate of about 80% in trial subjects with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and who had an inadequate response to previous treatments. The data were from the company’s Phase 2b QUASAR Induction Study 1.

The company says safety findings at week 24 were consistent both with those at week 12 and with the known safety profile for TREMFYA in approved indications. “No new safety concerns for Tremfya were identified,” it says.

The monoclonal antibody is said to selectively bind to the p19 subunit of interleukin (IL)-23 and inhibits its interaction with the IL-23 receptor. It is currently approved for treating certain adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

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