Rare diseases are almost certain to remain one of the biggest areas for novel drug development in 2024, but the orphan drug pipeline will be making space for some novel therapies for common conditions over the next six months.
Rare Diseases Rule, But Some Common Conditions Stand Out In Pending US Applications
Half of the FDA’s upcoming 2024 user fee goals target rare diseases, but highly prevalent conditions like uncomplicated urinary tract infections and atopic dermatitis are also up for agency action in the second half of the year.

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Not all companies will be able to access joint scientific consultations under the EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation, but success is still possible for those that engage with national agencies early on, says EUCOPE’s Alexander Natz.
Payers and health technology assessment bodies in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy are either unwilling to use real-world data in assessments or cannot due to their existing frameworks, say representatives from Gilead Sciences and Autolus Therapeutics.
Companies have until 17 March to respond to an EU consultation on a new strategy that will seek to simplify the regulatory framework and make it easier for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises to “access the capital they need” to scale up in the bloc.
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Director Peter Marks expects no fundamental changes in support for FDA initiatives and said the Rare Disease Innovation Hub, which promotes cross-center collaboration, is “consistent with what we're hearing in the current environment.”
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Pink Sheet reporter and editors discuss how staff may not be the only thing the FDA could lose with the latest layoffs announced by the Health and Human Services Department.
The European Medicines Agency has recommended five drugs for EU-wide approval , including Averoa’s Xoanacyl for concomitant hyperphosphatemia. Two companies have withdrawn their marketing authorization applications.
Eli Lilly’ will request a re-examination after the European Medicines Agency declined to recommend its Alzheimer’s disease drug Kisunla for EU approval.