Interviews

US FDA Biosimilar Standards Likely Sealed Interchangeability Designation’s Fate

 

When the agency decided biosimilarity standards would be high, it likely ensured the interchangeability designation eventually would become unnecessary.

ICH Q5A(R2): ‘More Regulatory Flexibilities Than Hurdles’

 
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CRO executive Horst Ruppach discusses the critical factors that drug manufacturers must consider to ensure compliance with the revised ICH Q5A(R2) guideline on biologics viral safety. Thorough documentation and proactive engagement with regulatory bodies are key to navigating the complexities of viral safety evaluation in biotechnology products, he says.

Has Competition Reassurance Helped Counter Combination Woes In The UK?

 
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The rate of non-submissions for combination therapies in England has been on a downward trend in the last two years.

‘There Is No Silver Bullet’ – Sandoz’s Haruvi Talks US Shortages

 
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As Sandoz publishes a report on US drug shortages, including a call for policy and other improvements, the firm’s North America head and AAM Chair Keren Haruvi discussed potential solutions to ongoing supply-chain failures.


UK’s ISRCTN Registry Makes It Easier To Track Clinical Trial Transparency

 
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The ISRCTN clinical trials registry has launched an improved dashboard to provide metrics that reveal how many studies are complying with key transparency requirements. Badges are in place for individual studies meeting the transparency criteria.

EUCOPE: EU Pharma Reform Positive, But Industry Needs Clearer Definitions

 

High unmet needs is among the terms and definitions in the EU’s regulatory reform package that are “very subjective” and require more clarity to improve predictability for the pharmaceutical industry, EUCOPE’s secretary general, Alexander Natz, tells the Pink Sheet.

New AAM CEO Looking To ‘Force Multiply’ For US Generics Industry

 

John Murphy, who will take over the Association for Accessible Medicines in October, said in an interview that the number and types of voices advocating for the generics industry must increase.

EU HTA Regulation: Some Member States Could Be ‘Deselected’ From Joint Assessments

 

The EU HTA Regulation will see clinical comparisons of medical products conducted at an EU level. However, the needs of some smaller nations may not be represented, experts from Cencora explain in this second of two articles on the new EU joint clinical assessments.


EU HTA Regulation: Expect The Unexpected When It Comes To PICOs

 

Manufacturers should undertake scenario planning exercises and simulations to prepare for questions that will be asked under the upcoming EU HTA Regulation, but unpredictable questions are likely to arise, experts from Cencora caution in this first of two articles on the new EU joint clinical assessments.

Ipsen On Working With The UK’s Health Authorities To Make Industry’s Voice Heard

 

Improvements in the UK’s manufacturing and clinical trial ecosystems are on the “Christmas list” of Ioana Parsons, Ipsen’s general manager for the UK & Ireland.

How The EU, US & Brazil Are Shaping Decentralized Manufacturing For ATMPs

 

Regulators in Europe and the US have demonstrated a commitment to providing guidance that will make decentralized and point-of-care manufacturing a reality, the CSO of GermFree, a company that provides mobile and modular cleanrooms for manufacturing advanced therapies, tells the Pink Sheet.

Regulators Want Reduced Animal Testing – Could AI Be The Answer?

 

AI modeling can predict which animal tests are useful and necessary, saving money for companies and meeting objectives set by regulators in the US and EU, VeriSIM Life’s CEO and founder Jo Varshney tells the Pink Sheet.


What’s The Key To Successful R&D With Artificial Intelligence? ‘Bilingual’ Scientists

 
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Before J&J’s former chief data scientist Najat Khan moved to Recursion, she talked to the Pink Sheet about how AI is transforming trials and driving collaboration between industry and regulators.

Blue Shield Of California’s Pharmacy Benefit Overhaul Could Still See Boost From Transparency Legislation

 
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The payor’s multiyear plan to ditch the traditional PBM model and use multiple vendors has drawn a lot of skepticism from other actors in the health care system, but Blue Shield is hoping that it can help give policymakers some momentum, VP Lum tells the Pink Sheet.

‘We Did Too Good Of A Job’ On Lowering Prices: Sandoz’s Haruvi Discusses Generic Sustainability

 
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As Hatch-Waxman celebrates its 40th anniversary, the chair of the US generic trade association talks about striking the right balance on supply and pricing, preventing shortages, and improving Medicare price negotiations.

ICER’s New President On What She Wants From Industry – And From Medicare Price Negotiations

 

In an interview, Sarah Emond talks about why she is ‘worried’ about cell and gene therapy, when ICER might revise its assessment of obesity drugs, and how CMS could build a reliable and transparent Medicare price negotiation program.


ICMRA Chief On The Future Of Regulatory Collaboration & The Move Towards Convergence

 

Artificial intelligence, real world evidence and point of care manufacturing are top priorities for the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities, says the coalition’s chair, Emer Cooke.

FTC’s Rahul Rao On Why Agency Targeted Drug-Device Orange Book Patents

 

Deputy director of the Bureau of Competition notes in an interview that the FTC focused on older products it felt should have more generic competition in its letters to companies citing improper patent listings. He says it is clear which drug-device combo patents should not be listed.

As New Tech Emerges For Early Research, FDA Chief Scientist Says Diversity Must Start In Preclinical Development

 

In a Pink Sheet interview Chief Scientist Bumpus discusses need to move diversity conversation up further in the pipeline. Better ‘organs on a chip’ should help.

Stephen Hahn On Risk-Taking, Moving To ‘Friction,’ And What Industry Can Learn From The FDA

 
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The former US FDA commissioner turned venture CEO believes the biopharmaceutical industry can cure many of society’s ills, but firms need to talk to the agency more.