There may not be a worse time to push a new drug through FDA-especially a "me-too" product with a questionable benefit-risk profile. Until Congress releases its grasp on the approval process, FDA isn't taking any chances. Unfortunately for industry, a few drugs are getting caught in the crossfire. Merck seemed unprepared for the new climate with Arcoxia; will other sponsors learn the lesson?
By Kate Rawson
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US HHS Advisor Calley Means said new pathways for root-cause treatments are part of the HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vision for the FDA. But what most biopharma companies consider preventative medicines are not what he has in mind, nor does he seem to see those companies as part of the solution.
US FDA Commissioner Martin Makary’s disavowal of a proposed reorganization plan may be an important turning point in the Trump Administration. The move does not improve the situation, but may mean the administration stops actively making things worse.
Pink Sheet reporter and editors discuss FDA Commissioner Martin Makary’s decision to have one of his assistants lead negotiations for Novavax’s delayed COVID-19 vaccine review, as well as some recent missed review deadlines, which may be the result of recent FDA cuts.
With review and development uncertainly increasing, "it’s going to take longer for certain targets … to progress to a place where they’ve been derisked enough that big pharma is ready to write a big check," said Andrew Goodman of Paul Hastings.
Pink Sheet reporter and editors discuss FDA Commissioner Martin Makary’s decision to have one of his assistants lead negotiations for Novavax’s delayed COVID-19 vaccine review, as well as some recent missed review deadlines, which may be the result of recent FDA cuts.
Swiss authorities have introduced temporary measures that will make it easier for health care professionals to import medicines that are either not authorized or not available in Switzerland, which will particularly benefit pediatric drugs, in light of ongoing shortages.
Both the EU Clinical Trials Regulation and the European Health Data Space Regulation have the potential to improve harmonization and be highly valuable for industry – but the importance of protecting company data will be paramount, a life sciences consultant says.
