Regulation & Policy

New Opdivo indication turned down

Country
United States

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected a new indication for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s checkpoint inhibitor Opdivo (nivolumab) saying that more data is required. The proposed indication is for BRAF V600 positive metastatic melanoma.

FDA clears antibody for multiple myeloma

Country
United States

The first monoclonal antibody for multiple myeloma has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration under its accelerated approval procedure. Darzalex (daratumumab), was developed by Genmab A/S and licensed to Janssen Biotech Inc in 2012.

Guido Rasi resumes job as head of EMA

Country
United Kingdom

Guido Rasi has been appointed to a new five-year term as executive director of the European Medicines Agency following a fresh recruitment process. Prof Rasi had been forced to step down a year ago in the wake of a procedural challenge to his earlier appointment. 

Lung cancer drug, diagnostic pass FDA

Country
United States

A new lung cancer drug developed by AstraZeneca Plc and a diagnostic developed by Roche have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to identify and treat patients with non-small cell lung cancer whose tumours have a specific gene mutation.

FDA approves new indications for Harvoni

Country
United States

The US Food and Drug Administration has expanded the approved uses for Harvoni (ledipasvir and sofosbuvir), a combination pill for chronic hepatitis C (HCV), to include patients co-infected with HIV as well as those with genotype 4, 5 and 6 infections.

FDA approves new melanoma treatment

Country
United States

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new combination therapy for advanced melanoma and has advised physicians to test for certain genetic mutations before prescribing the drugs. Both treatments are marketed by Genentech (Roche).

FDA approves new HIV treatment

Country
United States

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new combination therapy for patients infected with HIV-1 that contains a new form of tenofovir, an antiretroviral medicine already use in other HIV combination treatments.

New drug recommended for melanoma

Country
United Kingdom

A new treatment for melanoma, which is based on a genetically engineered virus, has received a positive opinion from the European Medicine Agency – the first step towards marketing authorisation in Europe.

FDA approves treatment for pancreatic cancer

Country
United States

 A new therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer, one of the most difficult-to-treat diseases, has  been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The combination therapy has been approved for patients who have previously received gemcitabine.

FDA approves first Factor X concentrate

Country
United States

A new coagulation factor replacement therapy has been approved in the US for patients with hereditary Factor X deficiency, a condition that is characterised by the failure of the blood to clot normally.