USFDA

Genmab A/S announced that a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) has been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of ofatumumab (Arzerra®) in combination with  fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC) for the treatment of patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

AstraZeneca and its global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation for the investigational anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody, MEDI-551, for the treatment of patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) as well as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). Developed by MedImmune, MEDI-551 is currently in Phase IIb clinical development for NMO.

Cepheid announced that it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Xpert® Carba-R, a qualitative in vitro diagnostic test for fast, accurate, and reproducible identification of 5 distinct families of carbapenem resistance genes that together represent the most common carbapenemases identified globally, including KPC, NDM, VIM, OXA-48 and IMP.

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review a new supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy, to include data from KEYNOTE-010.

Roche announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gazyva® (obinutuzumab) plus bendamustine chemotherapy followed by Gazyva alone as a new treatment for people with follicular lymphoma who did not respond to a Rituxan® (rituximab)-containing regimen, or had their follicular lymphoma return after such treatment. Follicular lymphoma is the most common type of indolent (slow-growing) non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and accounts for approximately one in five cases of NHL.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Odefsey® (emtricitabine 200 mg/rilpivirine 25 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg or R/F/TAF) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in certain patients. Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide are from Gilead Sciences and rilpivirine is from Janssen Sciences Ireland UC, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). Odefsey is Gilead’s second TAF-based regimen to receive FDA approval and represents the smallest pill of any single tablet regimen for the treatment of HIV.

Egalet Corporation announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the new drug application (NDA) for ARYMO ER (morphine sulfate) extended-release tablets. ARYMO ER is being developed for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. The FDA Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date for a decision is October 14, 2016.

Cellceutix Corporation is pleased to announce that it has submitted a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) request, along with a final protocol to FDA, for a phase 3 clinical trial of its novel single-dose antibiotic, Brilacidin, for the treatment of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infection (ABSSSI) caused by Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A SPA is a written agreement between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a drug sponsor detailing the clinical trial design, endpoints and other clinical trial facets that can be used to support regulatory approval, thereby potentially reducing the risk of bringing a drug to market. The SPA submission is the next step in beginning a phase 3 program in ABSSSI after a successful End-of-Phase 2 Meeting with FDA last July (2015).   The title of the protocol submitted with the SPA request is:

Novartis  announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Afinitor® (everolimus) tablets for the treatment of adult patients with progressive, well-differentiated, nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of gastrointestinal (GI) or lung origin that are unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic. Afinitor received a priority review designation providing a shortened review period for drugs that treat serious conditions and offer a significant improvement in safety or effectiveness.