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FDA News Flash                                                                                February 3, 2012

FDA REGULATORY NEWS

• FDA announced the availability of a draft guidance document entitled, “FDA Regulation of PET Drug Products – Questions and Answers,” which addresses nearly all aspects of the drug regulatory process for positron emission tomography (PET) drugs.  The draft guidance includes details on PET drug  application submission, review, compliance with current good manufacturing practices, inspections, registration and listing, and user fees.  [Draft Guidance] (FDA.gov)
• FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg told members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that current conflict of interest rules for advisory committee members should stay intact in light of current FDA data indicating that the agency has not had difficulty finding qualified experts.  Dr. Hamburg stated that legislative action to loosen conflict of interest rules was not needed given that the percentage of conflict of interest waivers granted to advisory committee members has stayed well below targets and the vacancy rate for advisory committees has remained low.  (Pharmalot)

 

FDA COMPLIANCE NEWS

1. Although the committee was only asked to discuss the safety, and not efficacy of the drug, several panelists criticized the decision by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to overturn FDA’s recommendation regarding over-the-counter availability of Plan B One-Step for adolescents.  (Health News Daily)

 

POLICY AND LEGISLATION NEWS

• Senator Chuck Grassley (Republican – Iowa) has launched an investigation into FDA’s treatment of six former and current employees of FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) who recently filed a lawsuit alleging surveillance of personal email, and resultant retaliatory actions in response to whistleblowing activities.  In a letter to FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg, Senator Grassley requested explanations for the agency’s actions and detailed corrective steps that FDA is taking to protect whistleblower rights.  [Letter] (Pharmalot)
• Today, Senator Barbara Mikulski (Democrat – Maryland) will introduce a bill, entitled “Spending Reductions through Innovations in Therapies (SPRINT) Act,” intended to accelerate the FDA drug approval process for chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.  The bill would establish $50M in grant funding to increase the number of experimental drugs entering the FDA approval pipeline, but does not establish review and approval timelines.  [Press Release] (Baltimore Sun)

 

CLIENT NEWS

• Cardinal Health plans $90M in acquisitions to expand distribution business in China (MedCity News)
• Covidien announces results from SWIFT study of its Solitaire™ FR Revascularization Device at the International Stroke Conference (BusinessWire)
• Roche Diagnostics appoints Dan Zabrowski as Head of Roche Applied Science (B3C Newswire)
• Sanofi donates 120M tablets of lymphatic filariasis drug diethylcarbamazine as part of global pledge to combat five neglected tropical diseases (Zenopa)

 

For additional information, please respond to dailydose@becker-consult.com.

 

 

MEETINGS

 

• NEW: Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee.  March 20, 2012.  Discuss supplemental new drug application (NDA) 022465/S–010 for VOTRIENT (pazopanib hydrochloride) tablets, application submitted by Glaxo Wellcome Manufacturing Pte Ltd. doing business as GlaxoSmithKline.  GlaxoSmithKline, (NYSE:GSK)  The proposed indication for this product is for the treatment of patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) who have received prior chemotherapy.  Discuss NDA 022576, with the proposed trade name TALTORVIC (ridaforolimus) tablets, application submitted by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.  The proposed indication for this product is for the treatment of of adult and pediatric patients (aged 13 through 17 years with weight over 100 lb or 45.4 kg) with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma or bone sarcoma as a maintenance therapy for patients who have completed at least 4 cycles of chemotherapy without evidence of disease progression.  [FR Notice]

 

Next week

• Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee.  February 8, 2012.  Discuss supplemental biologics license application 125320/28 for XGEVA (denosumab) injection, application submitted by Amgen, Inc.  The proposed indication for this product is for the treatment of men with castrate-resistant prostate cancer at high risk of developing bone metastases, or spread of cancer to the bones.  Amgen, Inc., (NASDAQ:AMGN).  [FR Notice]
• Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee.  February 9, 2012.  Discuss supplemental new drug application (NDA) 21790/010 for DACOGEN (decitabine) for injection, application submitted by Eisai, Inc.  The proposed indication for this product is for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in adults 65 years of age or older who are not considered candidates for induction chemotherapy.  Discuss NDA 022481, with the proposed trade name PIXUVRI (pixantrone dimaleate) injection, application submitted by Cell Therapeutics, Inc.  The proposed indication for this product is as a single agent treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory, aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma who received two or more prior lines of therapy.  Cell Therapeutics, Inc., (NASDAQ:CTIC).  [FR Notice]
• Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee.  February 9, 2012.  Discuss the available efficacy and safety data for supplemental new drug application (sNDA) 22395/S–013, QUTENZA (capsaicin 8%) Patch, by NeurogesX, Inc., for the proposed indication of management of neuropathic pain (nerve pain) related to HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy.  NeurogesX, Inc., (NASDAQ:NGSX).  [FR Notice]
• Neurological Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee.  February 10, 2012.  Discuss and make recommendations regarding the possible reclassification of cranial electrotherapy stimulator (CES) devices.  [FR Notice]
• Cellular, Tissue, and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee.  February 10, 2012.  Hear updates of the research programs in the Cellular and Tissue Branch, Office of Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA.  [FR Notice]

 

Next 30 days

• Public Workshop.  February 15, 2012.  Ethical and Regulatory Challenges in the Development of Pediatric Medical Countermeasures.  Plenaries and breakout sessions on the ethical and regulatory challenges in the development of medical countermeasures for the pediatric population.  [FR Notice]
• Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee.  February 22, 2012.  Discuss the safety and efficacy of new drug application (NDA) 22-580, proposed trade name QNEXA (phentermine/topiramate) Controlled-Release Capsules, manufactured by VIVUS, Inc., as an adjunct to diet and exercise for weight management in patients with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30 kilograms (kg) per square meter or a BMI equal to or greater than 27 kg per square meter if accompanied by weight-related comorbidities.  VIVUS, Inc., (NASDAQ:VVUS).  [FR Notice]
• Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee.  February 23, 2012.  Discuss the new drug application (NDA) 203202, proposed trade name NORTHERA (droxidopa capsules), submitted by Chelsea Therapeutics, Inc., for the treatment of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in patients with primary autonomic failure (Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple System Atrophy, and Pure Autonomic Failure), Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase Deficiency, and Non-Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy.  Chelsea Therapeutics, Inc., (NASDAQ:CHTP).  [FR Notice]
• Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee.  February 23, 2012.  Discuss new drug application (NDA) 202450, for aclidinium bromide, sponsored by Forest Laboratories, for the proposed indication of long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  Forest Laboratories, Inc., (NYSE:FRX) [FR Notice]
• Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee.  February 27, 2012.  Comment on the following topics related to the use of ophthalmic drug products:  Appropriate types of clinical evidence for developing anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of postoperative drugs and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone ocular surgery; and the appropriateness of marketing a single bottle of ophthalmic product for use in both eyes for postsurgical indications as it relates to the potential risk for infection.  [FR Notice]
• Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.  February 28-29, 2012.  On February 28, hear an overview of the research program in the Laboratory of Mycobacterial Diseases and Cellular Immunology, Division of Bacterial, Parasitic and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, and discuss and make recommendations on the selection of strains to be included in the influenza virus vaccine for the 2012 and 2013 influenza season.  On February 29, discuss licensure pathways for pandemic influenza vaccines.  [FR Notice]
• Blood Products Advisory Committee.  February 29, 2012.  Discuss the evaluation of possible new plasma products manufactured following storage at room temperature for up to 24 hours, namely, plasma for transfusion prepared from whole blood held at room temperature for up to 24 hours prior to separation and freezing, or from apheresis plasma held at room temperature for up to 24 hours before freezing.  [FR Notice]

Next 90 days

• FDA Rare Disease Patient Advocacy Day.  March 1, 2012.  Meeting to enhance the awareness of the rare disease community as to FDA’s roles and responsibilities in the development of products (drugs, biological products, and devices) intended for the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of rare diseases or conditions.  [FR Notice]
• Public Workshop.  March 7-8, 2012.  FDA Clinical Trial Requirements, Regulations, Compliance, and Good Clinical Practice.  Co-sponsored by the FDA Los Angeles District Office and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA).  Aid the clinical research professional’s understanding of the mission, responsibilities, and authority of the FDA and to facilitate interaction with FDA representatives; focus on the relationships among FDA and clinical trial staff, investigators, and institutional review boards (IRB).  [FR Notice]
• Arthritis Advisory Committee Meeting.  March 12, 2012.  Discuss the anti-nerve growth factor (Anti-NGF) drug class that is currently under development and the safety issues possibly related to these drugs.  [FR Notice]
• Pharmaceutical Science and Clinical Pharmacology Advisory Committee Meeting.  March 14, 2012.  Discuss the clinical pharmacology aspects of  pediatric clinical trial design and dosing to optimize pediatric drug development.  [FR Notice]
• Public Conference.  March 19-20, 2012.  The FDA/Pharmaceutical Users Software Exchange (PhUSE) Annual Computational Science Symposium.  Align and share experiences to advance computational science, update participants on current FDA initiatives and address specific challenges in accessing and reviewing data to support product development.  [FR Notice]
• Public Workshop.  May 3, 2012.  Clinical Development Programs for Sedation Products.  Solicit information on a variety of issues related to the clinical development and use of sedation products in adult and pediatric age groups as FDA develops guidance on clinical development programs for sedation products.  [FR Notice]
• Public Workshop.  April 12, 2012.  Role of Naloxone in Opioid Overdose Fatality Prevention.  [FR Notice]
• POSTPONED: Immunology Devices Panel.  TBD.  Discuss, make recommendations, and vote on a premarket approval application for the Progensa PCA3 assay, which is indicated to aid in the decision for repeat biopsy in men 50 years of age or older who have had one or more previous negative prostate biopsies and for whom a repeat biopsy would be recommended based on current standard of care, before consideration of PCA3 assay results.  Gen-Probe, Inc., (NASDAQ:GPRO).  [FR Notice]

 

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