FDA’s DMD Decisions: Glass Two-Thirds Full?

The outcome of an US advisory committee review of PTC’s ataluren was not surprising. That is bad news for PTC’s prospects of launching the drug in the near term – but given the recent history of the DMD class, it is probably good news for biopharma companies overall as a sign that FDA's neurology group is moving forward effectively.

glass half empty or half full
Half what? • Source: Kalyan Chakravarthy

In any other circumstance, the US FDA's Peripheral & CNS Drugs Advisory Committee’s Sept. 28 meeting on PTC Therapeutics Inc.’s ataluren would have been one that most sponsors could afford to skip since the briefing documents made clear the agency didn't believe ataluren’s efficacy had been demonstrated in the two trials completed by PTC to date.

PTC isn’t the first sponsor to try the equivalent of a Hail Mary pass to save an application by forcing...

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

More from US FDA Performance Tracker

August Brings Fresh Faces And Tough Calls To US FDA User Fee Calendar

 

The FDA could act on 17 applications, including 10 novel agents, during August. Only one would be a second-cycle review.

Complete Response Letter Trio Raises Prospect Of Tidal Shift In Regenerative Medicine Regulation

 

Replimune's RP1 oncolytic immunotherapy became the third regenerative medicine to receive an FDA complete response letter this month as the agency appears to re-visit previous agreements about accelerated approval.

US FDA’s Second Half 2025 User Fee Goals Swing Toward Respiratory Disease

 

The 43 novel agents with user fee goal dates in the remainder of 2025 have fewer oncologics and infectious disease drugs than the first half of the year.

Slowdown: US FDA’s 2025 Novel Approvals Are On Below-Average Pace

 

US FDA's 25 novel approvals in 2025 fell short of the agency's five-year average count, driven by a drop in drugs center approvals; 45 user fee goals remain in second half of year.

More from Regulatory Trackers

US FDA’s Second Half 2025 User Fee Goals Swing Toward Respiratory Disease

 

The 43 novel agents with user fee goal dates in the remainder of 2025 have fewer oncologics and infectious disease drugs than the first half of the year.

Slowdown: US FDA’s 2025 Novel Approvals Are On Below-Average Pace

 

US FDA's 25 novel approvals in 2025 fell short of the agency's five-year average count, driven by a drop in drugs center approvals; 45 user fee goals remain in second half of year.

Global Pharma Guidance Tracker - June 2025

 

Stay up to date on regulatory guidelines from around the world with the Pink Sheet’s Guidance Tracker. The complete Global Pharma Guidance Tracker, with sortable and searchable listings going back to 2014, is available online.