1st Biotherapeutics Inc. has received clearance from the FDA for its IND application to evaluate FB-849, a small-molecule hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors.

What could be Cytokinetics Inc.’s first approved drug will take center stage Dec. 13 at a meeting of the U.S. FDA’s Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee. But judging from the FDA’s briefing document for the meeting, the spotlight on the heart failure drug, omecamtiv mecarbil, could be harsh.

Sionna Therapeutics Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for SION-638, a small molecule designed to target the first nucleotide-binding domain (NBD1) of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. A phase I study is now dosing healthy volunteers.

Shares of Oncopeptides AB dropped 35% Dec. 7 on the U.S. FDA’s request to withdraw marketing authorization of Pepaxto (melflufen), a drug that had gained accelerated approval in early 2021 for use in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The move followed a negative advisory committee vote in September 2022 and is based on the outcome of the confirmatory phase III Ocean study.

Following the tone set in an October U.S. FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting, the agency has issued a complete response letter (CRL) to Y-mabs Therapeutics Inc.’s BLA for Omblastys (131I-omburtamab) to treat central nervous system/leptomeningeal metastasis arising from neuroblastoma.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s ahead-of-deadline approval from the U.S. FDA of Rezlidhia (olutasidenib) twice-daily capsules for adults with relapsed/refractory (r/r) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) came as a surprise to the company, but followed encouraging interactions, “including a very positive midcycle review meeting,” said CEO Raul Rodriguez, adding that the firm will “redouble our efforts to make sure we're able to convey the information supporting this product” to the marketplace. Regulators had assigned the compound a Feb. 15, 2023, PDUFA date.

Sparingvision SAS has obtained FDA clearance for its IND application for SPVN-06, its lead gene-independent therapy for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). SparingVision has also submitted a clinical trial authorization (CTA) application to the French regulator (ANSM), which is currently under review.