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

Secondary Endpoints Backed Kalydeco’s Efficacy, Despite Lack Of Correlation With Pulmonary Function

 
• By Sue Sutter

Although a decrease in sweat chloride levels was suggestive of benefit, this did not correlate with improvements in FEV1 function, FDA said. The agency also noted that the patient-reported outcomes instrument used in the pivotal clinical trials, though not fully validated, measured respiratory symptoms that are clinically relevant to patients.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s cystic fibrosis drug Kalydeco (ivacaftor) demonstrated generally positive effects on a slew of secondary endpoints in two pivotal trials, and yet it remains a question mark how, and whether, some of these measures translate into clinical benefit.

During the course of their review, FDA staff raised questions about the clinical meaningfulness of changes in sweat chloride and...

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

‘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.

‘Clean Sweep’ Of US CDC Vaccine Committee Puts Kennedy In Driver’s Seat

 
• By Bridget Silverman

With a 25-27 June meeting looming, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can fill all 17 spots on the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with people he says will "exercise independent judgment."

More from North America

Generic Drug Office’s Policy Staff Returning To US FDA

 
• By Derrick Gingery

The group had been laid off as part of the 1 April reduction-in-force, which lead to missed guidance publication deadlines.

Elegy For SACHRP: US HHS Research Protection Panel Tackled Tough Pediatric Trial Questions

 
• By Bridget Silverman

The termination of the HHS Secretary’s Committee on Human Research Protections closed an important forum for discussing pediatrics and pregnancy in clinical trial design, a former SACHRP chair said.

Payment Cap Not Always Solution For Unaffordable Drugs, Maryland PDAB Director Says

 
• By Cathy Kelly

The state's Prescription Drug Affordability Board, the oldest of a growing list of the boards, chose six drugs for affordability reviews and has the authority to set a ceiling on the amount state and local government payers would reimburse for them.