Drugs

ViiV’s Cabenuva Approved for HIV-1 in Adolescents

FDA has approved ViiV Healthcare’s Cabenuva (cabotegravir, rilpivirine) for treating HIV-1 in virologically suppressed adolescents who are 12 years of age or older and weigh at least 35kg on a stable antiretroviral regimen, with no history of treatment failure, and with no known or suspected resistance to either cabotegravir or rilpivirine. Previously, it was approved as a once monthly or every-two-months treatment for HIV-1 in virologically suppressed adults. Cabenuva contains ViiV Healthcare’s cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension in a single-dose vial and Janssen’s rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension in a single-dose vial.

Viiv says the expanded indication is based on extrapolated data from studies in adults and by data from the Week 16 interim analysis of the ongoing MOCHA (More Options for Children and Adolescents) study. “The safety profile in adolescents with the addition of either oral cabotegravir followed by injectable cabotegravir (n = 8) or oral rilpivirine (n = 15) followed by injectable rilpivirine (n = 13) was consistent with the safety profile established with cabotegravir plus rilpivirine in adults,” the company says.

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