PDUFA VII: US FDA Wants Dedicated RMAT Program Funding

Cell and gene therapy product activities also have increased CBER’s workload significantly and strained staff, the agency tells industry representatives.

Gene Therapy for Cancer Treatment Concept Cancer therapy with T-cell and pipette and vials - Image
The increased cell and gene therapy workload forced CBER staff to limit sponsor interactions and convert live meetings to "written responses only" status. • Source: Shutterstock

The Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation could gain dedicated funding as part of cell and gene therapy program enhancements in the US Food and Drug Administration’s prescription drug user fee reauthorization.

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FDA Layoffs: US Likely To Lose Its First Approver Advantage

Mass FDA layoffs on 1 April were designed to spare product reviewers, but still touched many who are critical to the application review process or drug development, which could mean fewer treatments are brought to the US market first.

‘Pipeline In A Pill’ Or Pipe Dream? US FDA’s April Goal Dates Test Expansion Strategies

 

Sanofi’s Dupixent, Amgen’s Uplizna, and Bristol’s Opdivo seek new indications, while J&J hopes to start a franchise with nipocalimab and Stealth’s day of reckoning approaches.

US FDA Staffing Uncertainty Could Impact Upcoming User Fee Negotiations

 

FDA staffing cuts are making negotiation preparations more difficult, but also could mean the result is a smaller user fee renewal package.

US FDA Commissioner Nominee Recruiting More Hill Staff Ahead Of User Fee Reauthorization

 

Republican congressional staffers could bring a wealth of experience and strong contacts with key legislators to the FDA ahead of the next user fee reauthorization process. But will Health and Human Services Department leadership interfere?

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EMA Considers Whether Intrathecal Zolgensma Deserves Fast Tracking

 

Novartis is planning to file EU and US marketing applications for an intrathecal formulation of its spinal muscular atrophy gene therapy, Zolgensma, in H1 2025.

Surrogate Endpoint ‘Reasonably Likely’ Decision Process An ‘Uncertain Standard,’ Industry Says

 
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The FDA’s accelerated approval draft guidance has left stakeholders seeking clarification of the process for determining a surrogate marker or intermediate clinical endpoint is reasonably likely to confirm clinical benefit.

Device-Like System Proposed For Low-Risk Human Cell Therapies, Tissue-Based Products At US FDA

 
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A risk-based approach to human cell therapies and tissue-based products could incentivize development and prevent bad actors from taking advantage of the current FDA system.