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FDA
The FDA turned away Ebvallo in January, taking issue with the design of the registrational trial. In a recent meeting, however, the agency agreed that the study could in fact support the cell therapy’s approval. The news comes a week after the departure of controversial biologics Director Vinay Prasad.
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The Department of Health and Human Services is spinning its wheels, unable to establish steady leadership at three major divisions—the CDC and the FDA’s two primary review units.
FDA
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s health department has consistently touted radical transparency as being key to its mission. Recent instances—the FDA’s decision not to disclose the recipients of three Commissioner’s National Priority Vouchers and FDA and CDC choices not to publish vaccine-related papers—call this intent into question.
In Salt Lake City, biotech founders new and seasoned reflect on ways to ride out the industry’s challenges, such as sending cold emails to investors and learning to address leadership weaknesses.
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The trial demonstrated that C3G glomerulopathy patients treated with the oral factor B inhibitor saw a significant reduction in protein in their urine. The results come days after iptacopan won the FDA’s green light for a rare blood disease.
The company’s fiscal report for 2023 details revenue losses of $539 million and layoffs of 1,100 employees but notes that future GLP-1 manufacturing revenues could help stabilize its finances.
The New York-based pharma reported at ASH that odronextamab had an 80% objective response rate, with 73% of patients experiencing a complete response.
Patients treated with the investigational sickle cell therapy saw an increase in hemoglobin levels and improved red blood cell parameters.
The investigational allogeneic CAR-T therapy P-BCMA-ALLO1 appears to be more effective following strong immunosuppressive preconditioning.
FDA
Friday’s FDA approval of Vertex-CRISPR’s Casgevy and bluebird bio’s Lyfgenia has immediately revealed startling differences between these two gene therapies: price and a black-box warning.
FDA
Along with CRISPR/Cas9-based Casgevy—developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics—the regulator on Friday approved bluebird bio’s Lyfgenia, a second gene therapy for sickle cell disease.
Another Flagship-founded company is shutting down its operations, according to an SEC filing. Axcella Health, which was focused on the development of a long COVID therapeutic, is no more.
Plexxikon, which was acquired by Daiichi Sankyo, and Novartis have agreed to settle a patent case involving the cancer drug Tafinlar and its sale in the U.S.
As Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics’ exa-cel and Verve Therapeutics’ VERVE-101 move forward, questions remain about possible drawbacks of such therapies.