FDA

Saol Therapeutics received a complete response letter for its pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency treatment a week after the FDA unveiled its Rare Disease Evidence Principles program. On Dec. 18, in a Type A meeting, the biotech will attempt to convince the agency that its drug fits perfectly into the framework.
The agency’s sweeping rollout and staff challenge underscore rising momentum behind agentic AI: advanced, multiagent systems now fueling early pilots in medical writing, patient engagement and regulatory workflows across the industry.
FDA
As the FDA unveils a parade of initiatives aimed at accelerating drug development for rare diseases, experts appeal for a consistent approval process that will support and further catalyze momentum.
Investor optimism has waned as final minutes from uniQure’s pre-BLA meeting with the FDA convey that data from the company’s Phase I/II studies of AMT-130 are “unlikely” to provide the primary evidence to support a biologics license application.
Høeg is the fifth person to lead the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research this year.
For certain monospecific antibodies, three-month toxicology studies plus other supportive evidence will suffice, eliminating the need for six-month testing.
Experts unpack the implications of CBER Director Vinay Prasad’s claim that COVID vaccines have caused 10+ child deaths; the 2025 Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease conference continues following two disappointing readouts; and Novo Nordisk’s amycretin yields promising weight loss results.
With new UK clinical trial rules landing in 2026, the EU Biotech Act on the horizon and China and Australia gaining ground, CROs are zeroing in on study timelines, AI/ML and data privacy as the industry’s next pressure points.
FDA
Newly appointed Center for Drug Evaluation and Research director Richard Pazdur has filed retirement papers with the agency—three weeks after accepting the role—amid clashes with Commissioner Marty Makary over certain FDA programs.
Agentic AI can help FDA staff manage meetings, conduct pre-market reviews and validate reports, among other tasks, though the agency emphasized that using this technology is optional for its employees.
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