Regeneron Pharmaceuticals said the FDA cited no approvability concerns for its multiple myeloma drug, linvoseltamab, other than previously identified issues with a contract manufacturer. While linvoseltamab trails bispecific antibodies currently marketed by Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, if approved, it could bring patients an earlier treatment option. By Frank Vinluan on August 21, 2024 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals already lags companies that have launched new multiple myeloma drugs, and it will have to wait a little bit longer to join them. The FDA turned down Regeneron’s application for its drug candidate, but not for any issues with the therapy itself. The regulator cited problems with the treatment’s third party manufacturer. The FDA rejection for the drug, linvoseltamab, is not a surprise. Regeneron foreshadowed that decision earlier this month during its conference call to discuss second quarter 2024 financial results, disclosing that that the FDA flagged unresolved findings with the contract manufacturer. Those problems centered on another company’s ...
Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) Rybrevant (amivantamab-vmjw) plus Lazcluze (lazertinib) has secured US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a first-line treatment for patients with some types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The indication covers patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test. The approval is based on data from the Phase III MARIPOSA study (NCT04487080), which compared the Rybrevant/Lazcluze combination to AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso (osimertinib). Data showed that Rybrevant plus Lazcluze reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 30% compared to Tagrisso alone. Additionally, the median duration of response was nine months longer with the combination therapy compared to Tagrisso. The study met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) and additional secondary endpoints, including participant race, type of EGFR mutation, and history of brain metastasis. These ...
By Don Tracy, Associate Editor Approval of Niktimvo was based on positive data from the AGAVE-201 study, which demonstrated a 75% response rate in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease.The FDA has approved Incyte Sundax Pharmaceuticals’ Niktimvo (axatilimab-csfr), an anti-CSF-1R antibody, for treating chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients who have not responded to at least two previous lines of systemic therapy. According to both companies, Niktimvo is the first approved anti-CSF-1R antibody targeting the drivers of inflammation and fibrosis seen in chronic GVHD. The approval was based on promising results from the AGAVE-201 study.1 “With the approval of Niktimvo, patients with chronic GVHD whose disease has progressed after prior therapies, now have a new treatment option with a novel mechanism of action to help address the serious and devastating complications associated with this disease,” said Hervé Hoppenot, CEO, Incyte, in a press release. “Niktimvo is Incyte’s second approved treatment for ...
By Don Tracy, Associate Editor Cresilon works to stop life-threatening bleeding in seconds, offering a valuable tool for military, emergency medical services, and healthcare professionals. The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to Traumagel, Cresilon’s plant-based gel designed for temporary external control of moderate to severe bleeding. According to the company, the gel is expected to be a valuable tool for military, emergency medical services, and healthcare professionals. Additionally, Cresilon stated that Traumagel requires no preparation and is effective across all types of bleeds.1 “The ability to rapidly stop bleeding at the point of care and halt a life-threatening hemorrhage can be the difference between life and death for people with traumatic injuries,” said Joe Landolina, CEO, co-founder, Cresilon, inventor of the technology, in a press release. “The FDA clearance for Traumagel is a monumental milestone for Cresilon and brings us another step forward in our mission to save lives and ...
NOWDiagnostics’ First to Know has FDA De Novo marketing authorization as a new test for syphilis. The at-home product needs only a single drop of blood to test for this sexually transmitted infection. By Frank VinluanSyphilis testing typically requires obtaining a blood sample and sending it to a lab. The wait for results ranges from hours to days. The FDA has authorized a new at-home syphilis test, a NOWDiagnostics product that yields results within 15 minutes. The FDA said Friday that its marketing authorization for the NOWDiagnostics test makes the kit the first at-home, over-the-counter test for syphilis. Springdale, Arkansas-based NOWDiagnostics, or NOWDx, will market its new syphilis test as First-to-Know. Syphilis is caused by a bacterium, Treponema pallidum. It’s treatable with antibiotics, such as penicillin. Untreated, syphilis infection can damage the heart and the brain. This infection can also cause blindness, deafness, and paralysis. Reports of this sexually transmitted ...
By Don Tracy, Associate Editor Approval of Livdelzi is based on results from the Phase III RESPONSE study, which demonstrated improved key biochemical markers and reduced pruritus. The FDA has granted accelerated approval to Livdelzi (seladelpar), Gilead’s treatment for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in adults who either have an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or cannot tolerate it. According to the company, the approval was based on positive results from the Phase III RESPONSE study, where Livdelzi significantly improved key biochemical markers and reduced pruritus, a debilitating symptom of PBC. Accelerated approval was based on a reduction of ALP.1 “More people are being diagnosed with PBC, impacting people of varied ages, gender, race and ethnicity. Those living with PBC share common symptoms, including incessant itching or skin-crawling sensations, as well as debilitating fatigue that is made worse by the itching at night,” said Carol Roberts, president, The PBCers Organization, ...
By Don Tracy, Associate Editor UGN-102 has the potential to be the first FDA-approved treatment for low-grade intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, UroGen says. UroGen has completed its New Drug Application (NDA) submission for UGN-102 (mitomycin) for intravesical solution, suggesting that it has the potential to become the first FDA-approved treatment for low-grade intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (LG-IR-NMIBC). The NDA submission is supported by results from the Phase III ENVISION trial, which demonstrated that patients treated with UGN-102 had a 79.6% complete response (CR) rate at three months following the first instillation.1 “The completion of the NDA submission for UGN-102 marks a crucial milestone for UroGen and underscores our dedication to advancing this groundbreaking treatment for patients with LG-IR-NMIBC,” said Liz Barrett, president, CEO, UroGen, in a press release. “By providing a viable alternative to repeated surgeries, if approved UGN-102 may offer patients quality of life benefits and clinically ...
Livdelzi is now FDA-approved for treating the rare liver disease primary biliary cholangitis. Gilead Sciences added the drug to its pipeline via the $4.3 billion acquisition of CymaBay Therapeutics earlier this year. By Frank Vinluan A Gilead Sciences drug acquired earlier this year in a multi-billion dollar deal is now FDA approved as new treatment for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare liver disease that can lead to liver failure. The approval announced Wednesday for the drug covers the treatment of adults whose disease is inadequately managed by the standard of care PBC drug as well as those who cannot tolerate that drug. The Gilead therapy, seladelpaar, will be marketed under the brand name Livdelzi. PBC is a rare, progressive autoimmune condition that leads to inflammation and scarring of the liver’s bile ducts. The chronic disorder, which impairs liver function, mainly strikes women over 40 years of age. Gilead estimates that ...
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Sandoz’s Enzeevu (aflibercept-abzv), the drugmaker’s biosimilar for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Available as a 2mg vial kit and pre-filled syringe, the biosimilar– which references Regeneron and Bayer’s Eylea (aflibercept) – is indicated to improve and maintain visual acuity in patients with the eye disease. Enzeevu joins Biocon Biologics’s Yesafili (aflibercept-jbvf) and Samsung Bioepis’ Opuviz (aflibercept-yszy) in the list of FDA-approved biosimilars to Eylea. Yesafili and Opuviz were both greenlit by the agency as the first biosimilars in May this year. They were both designated as interchangeable products. The FDA has provisionally said Enzeevu would be interchangeable with Eylea as “it is currently subject to an unexpired exclusivity for the first interchangeable biosimilar products”, as per a 12 August press release. Interchangeable biosimilars are eligible for a year of market exclusivity if they are the first biosimilar of a given product ...
By Don Tracy, Associate Editor Approval of neffy marks a significant advancement in epinephrine delivery, offering a less painful alternative to traditional needle injections.The FDA has approved ARS Pharmaceuticals’ neffy (epinephrine nasal spray), a first-in-class needle-free, nasal spray treatment for type I allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, for adults and children weighing 66 lbs. or more. According to the company, this approval offers a less painful alternative to traditional needle injections, which are often delayed due to anxiety, potentially worsening allergic reactions.1 “Until today, patients with severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, only had one treatment option—an often painful and anxiety-inducing needle injection of epinephrine. In some cases, patients would delay or not administer the life-saving treatment at the onset of symptoms, increasing the risk for a severe reaction or negative outcomes requiring additional emergency medical treatment,” said Thomas B. Casale, MD, professor of medicine, pediatrics, and chief of clinical and ...
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