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Disc Medicine’s leadership tried to express optimism that its rare disease therapy bitopertin can be approved based on a Phase 3 trial set to begin shortly. However, analysts are worried that the protocol was developed with former FDA leaders.
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The FDA’s refusal to review Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine is “part of a disturbing pattern” of moving regulatory goalposts, according to Clay Alspach, executive director of the Alliance for mRNA Medicines. Meanwhile, streamlined communications with regulators in other countries pave the way for rapid uptake of novel modalities.
The current state of political affairs in the U.S. does not bode well for the direction of that turn. The country is at real risk of losing its long-held lead in biotech innovation.
The FDA’s refusal to review Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine is part of a larger communications crisis unfolding at the agency over the past nine months that has also ensnarled Sarepta, Capricor, uniQure and many more.
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The FDA issued a rare Refusal-to-File letter to Moderna over its mRNA-based influenza vaccine application, in an unusual move that sent the biotech’s shares tumbling.
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After the FDA’s decision to reject a review of Moderna’s mRNA-1010 flu shot, executives explain what Americans will miss out on as other nations embrace the technology.
Jim O’Neill was deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services and also acting director of the CDC after the abrupt ouster of Susan Monarez in August 2025.
The FDA in October 2025 granted bitopertin its Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher but after a shortened review time has decided the data did not support regulatory approval for treating erythropoietic protoporphyria.
Richard Pazdur had spent 26 years at the FDA before stepping down last year due to disagreements with Commissioner Marty Makary about lowering the number of clinical trials required for a new drug application, Pazdur told the media.
Through its AI Consortium and global forums, DIA is translating high‑level AI guidance into concrete workflows that match oversight to risk, from low‑stakes automation to decision‑critical regulatory analyses.
Moderna will not commit to previous 2028 breakeven guidance as the ripple effects of the FDA’s refusal-to-file decision spread through its pipeline.
Following over a year of slow uptake, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics expect Casgevy revenues to nearly triple in 2026, as patient access to the sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia gene therapy grows.
Eli Lilly has long been gearing up for the launch of orforglipron, announcing as early as February 2024 that it was ramping up manufacturing investments for the weight-loss pill.
Analysts are keeping a close eye on Vertex’s kidney disease portfolio, anchored by the IgAN drug povetacicept, as its nonopioid painkiller Journavx is poised for “incremental” growth in the first half 2026, according to BMO Capital Markets.
Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research head, is accused of interpersonal impropriety as pushback builds against his decision to reject Moderna’s influenza vaccine candidate.