At long last, the FDA has released information on a potential regulatory framework for 3D device printing at the point of care (POC), just the first step in the implicit guidance development process. The document highlights several potential tripwires for device manufacturers and operators of health care facilities, but the large number of complex questions posed by the paper suggests that a final guidance is not likely to arrive any time soon.
Theradaptive Inc. has received an FDA breakthrough medical device (BMD) designation for its Osteo-Adapt SP spinal fusion implant for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion to treat degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or retrolisthesis. Under the program Theradaptive will enjoy priority review for its spinal bone growth implant and interactive advice for continued development as well as clinical trial protocols during premarket review.
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.
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.
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.
The release of the FDA’s briefing document for a Dec. 8 meeting of its Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee triggered heavy trading and a 38% drop in value in Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Plano, Texas.
Longeveron Inc.’s share price (NASDAQ:LGVN) jumped 11.7% on Dec. 3 after the FDA awarded orphan designation to Lomecel-B, allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, for treating hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The designation came two weeks after the FDA granted rare pediatric disease designation for Lomecel-B to treat the life-threatening congenital heart defect in infants.
PERTH, Australia – The FDA has cleared Immunexpress Inc.’s 510(k) for its Septicyte rapid diagnostic test for sepsis that quantifies the relative expression levels of genes involved in a patient's immune response to infection to aid in a diagnosis in one hour for patients suspected of sepsis. The test uses peripheral blood gene expression biomarkers to provide a probability of sepsis in patients presenting with clinical signs of systemic inflammation.
The FDA’s device center is required to develop and publish special controls for devices that are deemed class II items via the de novo petition process, and five such declarations were posted Dec. 1 to the Federal Register. One of these de novo classifications, for conditioning tools for eating disorders, was the subject of a de novo petition filed in 2007 and granted in 2011.