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Trial Design Issues, Failure To Follow Guidance Likely to Hurt Merck At Keytruda Advisory Panel

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

Merck’s decisions to repeatedly ignore US FDA’s advice will be on display as the company tries to convince the agency’s Oncologic Drug’s Advisory Committee the immunotherapy is ready for accelerated approval for patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer based on interim study results.

Molecular model of Keytruda
FDA is asking an advisory panel whether Merck's Keytruda needs more data before a regulatory decision for triple-negative breast cancer can be made • Source: Shutterstock

The US FDA offered a multi-prong critique of Merck & Co., Inc.’s application for Keytruda (pembrolizumab) to treat patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer in the run up to the company’s 9 February advisory committee review, highlighting philosophical differences with the sponsor about the level of unmet need and the data tradeoffs that would allow.

Merck is seeking accelerated approval for the immunotherapy to be used in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, then as...

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More from US FDA Performance Tracker

US FDA’s June Approval Forecast: Infection Prevention, Cancer And HAE

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Upcoming FDA user fee goal dates include novel products from a busy lung cancer pipeline, a single-dose passive immunization against RSV for infants, what could be the first oral HAE acute treatment, and a first-in-class HAE preventive antibody.

Keep Talking: US FDA’s Beleaguered Biologics Center Remains Vital To Regenerative Medicine

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Advisory committee for Capricor’s deriamocel planned, regenerative medicine advanced therapy designations proliferate for osteoarthritis, and the ranks of dual RMAT/breakthrough therapy designation holders grow.

Maybe In May: US FDA Calls Coming On Moderna Next-Gen COVID-19 Vaccine, AbbVie’s Big ADC Bet

 
• By Bridget Silverman

The 31 May goal date for Moderna’s next-generation COVID-19 vaccine looms over the month, but the US FDA's decision lineup includes three more novel agents, including AbbVie's Teliso-V antibody-drug conjugate, as well as supplemental indications like GSK's bid for Nucala in COPD.

AMR-Targeting Drug Secures EMA PRIME Designation

 
• By Neena Brizmohun

Antabio’s next-generation, broad-spectrum antibacterial, MEM-ANT3310, has made it onto the European Medicines Agency’s priority medicines scheme. The company says its product is designed to make a significant impact on the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

More from Regulatory Trackers

Keep Talking: US FDA’s Beleaguered Biologics Center Remains Vital To Regenerative Medicine

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Advisory committee for Capricor’s deriamocel planned, regenerative medicine advanced therapy designations proliferate for osteoarthritis, and the ranks of dual RMAT/breakthrough therapy designation holders grow.

Maybe In May: US FDA Calls Coming On Moderna Next-Gen COVID-19 Vaccine, AbbVie’s Big ADC Bet

 
• By Bridget Silverman

The 31 May goal date for Moderna’s next-generation COVID-19 vaccine looms over the month, but the US FDA's decision lineup includes three more novel agents, including AbbVie's Teliso-V antibody-drug conjugate, as well as supplemental indications like GSK's bid for Nucala in COPD.

EU CHMP Opinions And MAA Updates

 
• By Neena Brizmohun

This is an update of recommendations from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use on the authorization of new medicines in the EU, and updates on EU marketing authorization changes recommended by the CHMP.