1. Pink Sheet
  2. >>Agency Leadership
  3. >>US FDA

US FDA’s Fast Track Designation Policy Faces Unusual Legal Challenge

 
• By Brenda Sandburg

Vanda Pharmaceuticals contends the agency unfairly denied its request for fast track designation for tradipitant. This appears to be the first time the FDA has been sued over a denial. In FY 2021, CDER denied 78 requests for the designation and granted 173.

Fast track
US FDA sued for refusing to designate a drug for fast track process • Source: Shutterstock

Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. contends that the US Food and Drug Administration wrongly denied its request for fast track designation for tradipitant because it could not obtain safety data for chronic use of the drug in treating gastroparesis symptoms.

The company filed suit against the agency asking the US District Court for the District of Columbia to vacate the...

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
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from US FDA

Post-Approval, Real-Time Monitoring Will Help Approval Standards, US FDA’s Makary Says

 
• By Sue Sutter

The FDA will use electronic health records to “get eyes” on drugs immediately after approval, Commissioner Martin Makary told the DIA 2025 Global Annual Meeting. He also wants to reduce development time with better communication and new approval pathways.

US FDA Teases Disclosure Program, But Industry Has Seen This Before

 
• By Derrick Gingery

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Director Vinay Prasad said Commissioner Martin Makary wants to release previously inaccessible FDA documents, but previous commissioners have made the same pronouncements only to make little progress.

US FDA Could Miss User Fee Spending Triggers With House FY 2026 Funding

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith and Derrick Gingery

FDA employees are concerned that while the budget authority total proposed for fiscal year 2026 meets the user fee appropriations' triggers, the FDA could have trouble meeting allocation triggers without cuts to non-review work.

US FDA May Consolidate Support Services After Extensive Cuts

 
• By Derrick Gingery and Sue Sutter

Commissioner Martin Makary told staff that plans are being developed to centralize HR, IT, travel and other functions, which were heavily impacted by the 1 April reduction-in-force.

More from Agency Leadership

US FDA’s Rising First-Cycle Complete Response Rate Draws Congress’ Attention

 
• By Sue Sutter

The House Appropriations Committee wants an analysis of how issues that led to CRLs could have been resolved within the first review cycle and seeks an agency crackdown on counterfeit GLP-1 agonists.

ACIP Upheaval Leaves Merck & Co. In A Lurch

 
• By Jessica Merrill and Bridget Silverman

Merck’s newly approved Enflonsia for RSV is one of the products expected to be recommended for use by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices later this month.

US FDA Chief Counsel Position Awaits HHS General Counsel Confirmation

 
• By Sue Sutter

Robert Foster, HHS deputy general counsel and chief counsel for food, research and drugs, is temporarily heading the Office of Chief Counsel, but a permanent appointee is expected after Michael Stuart's confirmation as HHS general counsel.