1. Pink Sheet
  2. >>Geography
  3. >>North America
  4. >>United States

FDA Clears Belviq With Post Hoc Finding Of Less Than Double Placebo CV Risk

 
• By Cathy Dombrowski

In analyses of both a narrow and a broad search for cardiovascular events in lorcaserin’s clinical trials, the upper bound of the 95% confidence level was less than 2.0, allowing marketing with a full CV outcomes trial to come post-approval, FDA briefing documents reveal.

FDA continues to mull its policy on how much cardiovascular risk to allow for obesity drugs, but agency review documents for Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Belviq indicate that companies that get their NDAs to the agency before the policy comes out could see a doubling of CV risk as the point beyond which their drugs cannot go.

Sponsors have been working under a cloud of uncertainty about how to incorporate cardiovascular evaluation into their development programs, with...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Pink Sheet for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from United States

Crisis Or Opportunity? US MFN Policy Could Test Japan’s Appetite For Reforms

 
• By Lisa Takagi

While the adoption of most favored nation drug pricing in the US stands to affect Japanese biopharma firms now heavily reliant on this market, it might also present an opportunity for pricing and policy reforms at home.

ACIP Upheaval Leaves Merck & Co. In A Lurch

 
• By Jessica Merrill and Bridget Silverman

Merck’s newly approved Enflonsia for RSV is one of the products expected to be recommended for use by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices later this month.

‘Sex Pill For Women’: Sprout CEO’s Addyi Instagram Post Draws US FDA Warning Letter

 
• By Sue Sutter

Cindy Eckert’s social media post with a People.com story failed to include any risk information, made misleading representations about benefits and omitted material information about the indication, said the agency, which flagged similar concerns about an Addyi radio ad five years ago.

US FDA Chief Counsel Position Awaits HHS General Counsel Confirmation

 
• By Sue Sutter

Robert Foster, HHS deputy general counsel and chief counsel for food, research and drugs, is temporarily heading the Office of Chief Counsel, but a permanent appointee is expected after Michael Stuart's confirmation as HHS general counsel.

More from North America

‘Brainless’ US MFN Policy Could Drive Pharma Investment To Europe

 
• By Francesca Bruce

European health systems already pay far too much for new medicines and payers will not accept higher prices to compensate for lower US prices, according to Anja Schiel, from NOMA, the Norwegian health technology assessment body.

US FTC Continues Effort To Eliminate Orange Book’s Improper Patent Listings

 
• By Urtė Fultinavičiūtė

In a somewhat surprising move, President Trump’s Federal Trade Commission is continuing a crusade to delist improper listings from the FDA’s Orange Book. Law firm Polsinelli’s chair Chad Landmon discussed the impact of the move on the generic drug industry.

HHS Secretary Favors Regenerative Medicine Over Traditional Pharma: Blessing And Curse?

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Cell and gene therapy developers may not have to contend with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s animosity like the traditional pharma industry, but his disinterest in distinguishing between the good and bad actors in the space could backfire.