A greater investment in comparative effectiveness research appears inevitable, whether or not Congress creates a federally funded agency to conduct head-to-head trials. The Vytorin debacle is only the most recent reason why industry is wary. But there are steps pharma can take to prepare for the next big thing in health care policy. Despite Vytorin, Merck is one of the companies leading the way.
Kate Rawson
Merck & Co. CEO Richard Clark thinks comparative effectiveness research is the next big thing in pharmaceutical R&D.
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Reforming clinical trial regulations, addressing the use of artificial intelligence, mitigating medicines shortages and strengthening ties with other drug regulators are key priorities for Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration over the next year.
The report gave examples of missed opportunities for innovation and patient access, as well as regulatory and operational problems that undermine the conduct of timely clinical trials in Europe.
The European Medicines Agency has revised the sponsor handbook for the Clinical Trials Information System, bringing together guidance that was previously scattered across multiple platforms and documents to help sponsors navigate the trial process more efficiently.
Sarepta knew about the death in a Phase I trial of SRP-9004 for LGMD when it recently revealed a restructuring plan, but did not disclose the event. The now-discontinued gene therapy candidate uses the same AAV vector as Elevidys, which has been linked to two DMD patient deaths.
The UK Health Research Authority’s latest three-year strategy sets ambitious targets to make research more transparent. One World Health Organization official believes the authority can go further by setting equally high standards for the timely reporting of clinical trial results.
Rexulti’s post-traumatic stress disorder sNDA tries to make up for a failed Phase III study by placing a Phase II study into a key evidentiary role, raising questions for the July 18 advisory committee meeting about assessing discordant results and post-hoc analyses.
The FDA is pushing the use of novel alternatives to animal models, but the Government Accountability Office said sponsors need more clarity and hopes an upcoming guidance will help.
