The U.S. FDA reported Feb. 29 that data on the Hintermann series H3 total ankle system suggest a significantly higher rate of device failure than seen in premarket clinical studies, a problem that has arisen even though only five years have passed since the agency approved the device.
On March 1, Boston Scientific Corp.’s Agent drug-coated balloon (DCB) became the first DCB to gain U.S. FDA approval for treatment of in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease. With more than 100,000 patients already treated in Europe, Latin America and Japan, it’s no secret Agent provides significant benefit compared to balloon angioplasty or drug-eluting stents (DES) for the approximately 10% of patients with coronary stents who experience subsequent narrowing of the treated vessel.
Jacobio Pharmaceuticals Group Co. Ltd. has received FDA approval of its IND application for JAB-30300, allowing it begin a phase I/IIa trial in the U.S. in advanced solid tumors.
Arthex Biotech SL has received FDA clearance to initiate the phase I/IIa Arthemir study of ATX-01 for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).
Allecra Therapeutics GmbH secured U.S. FDA approval for its beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination, Exblifep (cefepime/enmetazobactam), in complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis, in patients 18 years and older.
A China-based manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) suspended producing API for the U.S. market following an FDA inspection that found “significant deviations” from good manufacturing practices at the facility.
Korean neurodegenerative disease-focused Aribio Co. Ltd. gained the U.K.’s regulatory clearance to start the phase III Polaris-AD trial on AR-1001 (mirodenafil), an investigative therapy for early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency gave notice of acceptance to Seoul, South Korea- and San Diego-based Aribio for the clinical study on Feb. 21 after “confirming a favorable ethical opinion,” Aribio said. AR-1001 is an oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor under development to treat early AD.
In the end, Minerva Neurosciences Inc. NDA submission wasn’t able to overcome the U.S. FDA’s concerns regarding data for dual 5-HT2A/sigma 2 antagonist roluperidone. The agency issued a complete response letter (CRL) for the application, which had been seeking approval as the first treatment specifically targeting negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
The U.S. FDA’s approach to predetermined change control plans (PCCP) for medical devices has been widely viewed through the lens of artificial intelligence software, but the potential scope of PCCP is much broader than merely evolutionary software and iterative device designs.
Woven Orthopedic Technologies LLC secured a second U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for the use of its Ogmend implant enhancement system in spine surgery. The approval is for the large size Ogmend sleeve which is compatible with pedicle screws up to 10.5 mm and will give surgeons a tool to be able to easily secure stable fixation between the screw and bone during orthopedic surgery.