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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.
FDA
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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The Connecticut-based biotech, which emerged from stealth last year, has secured $202 million to date as it looks to move two assets targeting prostate and breast cancer into the clinic.
FibroGen expects its headcount reduction, which is tied to eliminating 75% of its U.S. workforce, to be mostly complete by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Ascendis Pharma’s palopegteriparatide was previously rejected by the regulator due to manufacturing problems, and the review period for its resubmitted application was extended by three months.
A day after the regulator denied approval of Lykos’ MDMA-assisted PTSD therapy, a medical journal pulled three studies related to the use of the psychedelic in the indication.
Humacyte’s stock price dropped 18% in after-hours trading Friday after the company announced the FDA requires additional time to review its Biologic License Application. No reason was given for the delay or an updated decision date.
ARS Pharma’s neffy on Friday became the first FDA-approved nasal spray to address severe allergic reactions, including those that might lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Hundreds of companies are currently running clinical trials in the increasingly lucrative obesity space. BioSpace looks at five candidates with data expected before the end of the year.
In the next two weeks, the FDA will hand down its verdicts for three drug applications, including ones for multiple myeloma and hypoparathyroidism therapies.
Clinical trial concerns and a negative advisory committee vote ultimately sunk the treatment.
AN2 is discontinuing a study that evaluated epetraborole for treatment-refractory MAC lung disease and plans to shift focus to its boron chemistry platform.