Regulatory Authority Actions

The agency has approved Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi), the first gene therapy to treat pediatric spinal muscular atrophy.

The guidance discusses the design and evaluation of comparative analytical studies used to support the biosimilarity of a proposed therapeutic protein product to a reference product licensed under section 351(a) of the Public Health Service Act.

Violations found by FDA included a failure to test product for API identity and strength, failure to validate outsourced materials, and a lack of written cleaning procedures.

Inspectors found a lack of control over computer systems and a failure to follow equipment cleaning and maintenance procedures.

The agency updated its list of recommended influenza virus strains that manufacturers should include in vaccines for the autumn 2019 season.

TraceLink will participate in the agency’s Pilot Project Program under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act.

FDA is examining and updating its programs for overseeing global operations and international affairs.

The guidance will assist sponsors in demonstrating a proposed therapeutic protein product is interchangeable with a reference product.

The agency approved Benlysta (belimumab) intravenous infusion for treatment of children with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Dengvaxia is the first FDA-approved vaccine for dengue disease caused by all dengue virus serotypes for individuals ages 9 through 16 who have laboratory-confirmed previous dengue infection and who live in endemic areas.

The agency recommended marketing authorization for two orphan drugs and treatments for opioid dependence, HIV, cancer, and more.

New agency leadership is pressed to promote innovation while addressing safety and quality issues.

Delays in revisions to guidelines by the European Union are impeding the pharmaceutical industry.

The company’s center of excellence for advanced analytical testing passed GMP inspection from the European Medicines Agency.

CDER Director Janet Woodcock is finalizing this more streamlined approach process for evaluating new drugs to handle the surge in drug application submissions.

The agency provides recommendations for the development of bispecific antibody development programs that include regulatory, quality, nonclinical, and clinical considerations.

Sharpless will seek further solutions to the opioid crisis and work to reduce cigarette use in adults and kids.

FDA sent a warning letter to RIJ Pharmaceutical LLC after an inspection of the company’s Middletown, NY facility found CGMP violations.

The agency sent a warning letter to Luen Fook Medicine Sdn., Bhd. for CGMP violations found at the company’s Malaysia facility.

EMA is evaluating the safety of Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) after new side effects were reported.

The European Medicines Agency weighs in on the role of regulators in determining added benefits of novel therapies.

The agency published guidance on how to determine the placement and content of pediatric information in the labeling of drugs and biologics.

The agency has published a Q&A document to answer questions about what EMA is doing to prevent medicine shortages during Brexit.

The guidance provides industry with information on the design and implementation of natural history studies to support the development of treatments for rare diseases.

The guidance provides nonclinical and clinical recommendations to sponsors for the development of products for the prevention of HIV-1 infection.