After showing power in its frequency of dosing and efficacy, Vabysmo (faricimab) has been approved by the FDA for treating wet, or neovascular, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. The bispecific monoclonal antibody was developed by Roche Holding AG units, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Genentech Inc. Read More
LONDON – After six years in development, EMA’s new clinical trials information system (CTIS) was switched Jan. 31, bringing to life a law enacted in 2014 to create a single, harmonized regulatory system across the EU. As the embodiment of the Clinical Trial Regulation, CTIS will underpin a long-awaited simplification of the process for approving trials. Rather than separate applications to different national regulators, a single application delivered via CTIS can lead to simultaneous regulatory and ethics approvals in up to 30 countries. Read More
Moderna Inc. reached a milestone of sorts Jan. 31 as the U.S. FDA fully approved its COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax (elasomeran), for use in adults. Meanwhile, the Moderna and Pfizer Inc.-Biontech SE vaccines are in the sights of the U.S. Congressional Progressive Caucus, which is pushing the Biden administration to do more to ensure global vaccination.
LONDON – A new SARS-CoV-2 sub-variant is showing signs of outcompeting the omicron variant that was first reported in South Africa in late November 2021, and within a month had taken over from its delta predecessor, accounting for 98.8 % of sequenced cases worldwide, as of Jan.25. Read More
U.S. FDA regulation of combination products has always been complicated, and a new final guidance takes up the long-standing controversy over FDA review of these applications. The final guidance makes explicit the possibility that the individual components of a cross-labeled combination product will be reviewed separately, a concession that industry saw as critical to ensure that these applications can make it through the FDA gauntlet without undue delay. Read More
While comments continue to pour in, both in opposition and support, regarding the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed national coverage decision that would restrict Medicare coverage of monoclonal antibodies intended to treat Alzheimer’s to those used in CMS- or NIH-approved clinical trials, some groups also are appealing to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to step into an HHS agency turf war. Read More
PERTH, Australia – A new parliamentary report, The New Frontier: Delivering better health for all Australians, is recommending significant reforms to the nation’s health care system to ensure Australians have faster access to new drugs and devices. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport examined the range of new drugs and emerging medical technologies that are in development and progressing through the regulatory system in Australia and in other countries. Read More
Blueprint Medicines Corp.’s cancer drug Ayvakyt (avapritinib) looks set to gain an expanded label in Europe, amid a flurry of decisions from the European Medicines Agency’s CHMP scientific committee. Late last week the CHMP gave a positive opinion for Ayvakyt for treatment of adults with advanced systemic mastocytosis, meaning the drug is likely to gain a further European indication in the coming weeks.
New hires and promotions in the biopharma industry, including: Athira, Hoth, Immorna, Immunogen, Keros, Medicenna, Neotx, Neurobo, Olema, Oncoarendi, Vivacitas, Zenith Epigenetics. Read More
Biopharmas raising money in public or private financings, including: Avicanna, Gandeeva, Hanbio, Innocoll, Mainz, Nrx, Precisionlife, Sunshine Guojian. Read More
Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Adelia, Alterity, Aurealis, Bioqual, Biosplice, Catalyst, Celsion, CRUK, Cybin, Elusys, Epic, Humacyte, Ideaya, Indivior, Novoron, Sorrento, Xbiome. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Accord, Alx, Amryt, Beigene, Bioheng, Biontech, Blueprint, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Provention, Regeneron, Sanofi. Read More
