Daré Bioscience Inc.’s investors will have to wait a while for details regarding a commercialization partnership centered on Xaciato (2% clindamycin phosphate gel, formerly known as DARE-BV1) as a single-dose treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in females 12 years of age and older. Approved Dec. 7, Xaciato is expected to launch next year.
Regulatory snapshots, including global submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Achiko, Foundation Medicine, Philips.
Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc.’s self-developed Hanbeitai (bevacizumab biosimilar) has received marketing approval from China’s NMPA. It was approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer.
There is now more clarity on the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, as serum antibodies produced by three doses of the Pfizer Inc.-Biontech SE COVID-19 vaccine have been shown to neutralize it. The data arrived a day after Glaxosmithkline plc and Vir Biotechnology Inc. said the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab retains activity against key mutations of the Omicron variant, including those found in sotrovimab’s binding site.
Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s hopes, as well as those of many people living with Alport syndrome, were dashed Dec. 8 when the FDA’s 13-member Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee voted unanimously that the available evidence doesn’t show that the benefits of bardoxolone methyl outweighed its risks in treating the rare genetic condition.
Pharmaceutical companies in China will cut the prices for more than five dozen drugs by an average of 61.7% to get them on the latest version of the country’s National Drug Reimbursement List. The National Healthcare Security Administration released the new list on Dec. 3, 2021. The new list includes 74 new drugs, the vast majority of which are branded products without generic versions in China. Only seven of the new drugs on the list have generic versions.
Beigene Ltd. has received approval from China’s NMPA to market Sylvant (siltuximab) for the treatment of patients with multicentric Castleman disease, including HIV-negative and human herpes virus-8-negative disease. The green light comes at a good time as the Beijing-headquartered company is preparing for a $3.5 billion listing on Shanghai’s STAR Market, its third listing. The monoclonal antibody siltuximab previously received regulatory approval in the U.S. and Europe.
Tot Biopharm International Co. Ltd.’s self-developed Pusintin (bevacizumab), a biosimilar to Roche Holding AG’s Avastin, has won marketing approval from China’s NMPA. It was approved for the treatment of patients with advanced, metastatic, or recurrent non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer and those with metastatic colorectal cancer.
Beyondspring Pharmaceuticals Inc. said it received a complete response letter from the FDA regarding the NDA for plinabulin, the company’s lead asset. The FDA said results of a phase III registrational trial were strong enough to show benefit but a second trial is needed to satisfy the agency.