Accelerated Approval For Bluebird’s Skysona Gives Teeth To US FDA Data Questions

Two required confirmatory studies will bolster application that relied on historical controls for orphan neurodegenerative disease.

smile
Bluebird is all smiles after the approval of Skysona. • Source: Shutterstock

The US FDA-approved labeling of bluebird bio’s gene therapy Skysona (elivaldogene autotemcel) stayed consistent with the agency’s position at a June advisory committee meeting, but with one notable twist: the gene therapy received accelerated approval, an option that was not mentioned in the committee briefing documents or meeting transcript.

Neuroscience is not a field that has had much use for accelerated approval, with Biogen, Inc.’s Aduhelm standing as...

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 Cell & Gene Therapies

HHS Secretary Favors Regenerative Medicine Over Traditional Pharma: Blessing And Curse?

 

Cell and gene therapy developers may not have to contend with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s animosity like the traditional pharma industry, but his disinterest in distinguishing between the good and bad actors in the space could backfire.

To Compete With China, US FDA Must Deregulate Early Gene Therapy Studies, CAR-T Inventor Says

 

FDA regulation was painted as an obstacle to US dominance in the cell and gene therapy space even as panelists at an agency event praised the Office of Therapeutic Products' track record under Nicole Verdun.

Cell/Gene Therapy Cost Recovery Options Could Include Pre-Approval Public ‘Bridge’ Funding

 
• By 

Expanded funding for cost recovery could dovetail with FDA Commissioner Martin Makary’s idea for a “conditional approval” pathway based on a plausible mechanism of action.

Prasad Says Involvement In US FDA Product Approvals Will Mirror Prior CBER Directors

 

The remarks from the new CBER director suggest Prasad will not be involved in most product-specific decisions.

More from Advanced Technologies

MHRA Backs Bacteriophage Innovation To Fight Antimicrobial Resistance

 

The UK regulator wants to help companies to develop bacteriophages for the treatment of infections. Its first guidance on this topic offers advice to researchers and sets out the regulatory requirements they will need to meet.

Prasad Says Involvement In US FDA Product Approvals Will Mirror Prior CBER Directors

 

The remarks from the new CBER director suggest Prasad will not be involved in most product-specific decisions.

Scientists Work With AI To Uncover ‘Unexpected’ Drug Combos For Breast Cancer

 

A UK research team has used artificial intelligence to find new treatments for cancer using existing US Food and Drug Administration-approved medicines that are not normally not used for the disease.