FDA Approves Xromi (hydroxyurea) Oral Solution for Use in Pediatric Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xromi, an oral solution formulation of hydroxyurea indicated to reduce the frequency of painful crises and reduce the need for blood transfusions in pediatric patients aged 6 months of age to less than 2 years with sickle cell anemia with recurrent moderate to severe painful crises.

Sickle cell anemia is caused by an abnormal version of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S, which leads to sickle-shaped red blood cells that can form painful clumps inside the blood vessels. These painful episodes are called sickle cell crises, and are one of the most common and distressing symptoms of sickle cell disease.

Hydroxyurea has been shown to reduce the frequency of painful episodes associated with sickle cell disease. It is thought to work by increasing levels of hemoglobin F (also called fetal hemoglobin because it is present in newborn babies) to make the red blood cells bigger, rounder, more flexible, and less likely to turn into a sickle shape.

Hydroxyurea was first approved in 1967 in an oral capsule formulation as a cancer treatment and has been used by doctors to treat sickle cell anemia since the 1980s. It was approved by the FDA for treating adults with sickle cell anemia in 1998, and children in 2017.

Xromi is supplied as a strawberry-flavored oral solution containing 100 mg/mL hydroxyurea. The Xromi package contains two dosing oral dosing syringes (a red oral dosing syringe graduated to 3 mL and a white oral dosing syringe graduated to 12 mL) for accurate measurement of the prescribed dose.

FDA Approves Xromi (hydroxyurea) Oral Solution for Use in Pediatric Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia

FDA Approves Rytelo (imetelstat) for the Treatment of Adult Patients with Lower-Risk MDS with Transfusion-Dependent Anemia

Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company aiming to change lives by changing the course of blood cancer, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Rytelo™ (imetelstat) for the treatment of adult patients with low- to intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with transfusion-dependent (TD) anemia requiring four or more red blood cell units over eight weeks who have not responded to or have lost response to or are ineligible for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA).

“With the approval and availability of Rytelo, we believe eligible patients with lower-risk MDS can potentially experience meaningful clinical benefit, particularly the potential for greater than 24 weeks of freedom from the burden of red blood cell transfusions and symptomatic anemia,” said John A. Scarlett, M.D., Geron’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The approval of Rytelo as the first telomerase inhibitor is a testament to the power of our science and the passion of our people to innovate in the field of blood cancer. As we celebrate today’s momentous milestone, I would like to thank the patients and families, advocates, clinicians, study coordinators and site personnel, scientists, and Geron employees and collaborators past and present whose participation was integral to this achievement and to supporting our transformation into a commercial company.”

Lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) is a blood cancer that often progresses to require increasingly intensified management of key symptoms such as anemia and resulting fatigue1. These symptomatic LR-MDS patients frequently become red blood cell transfusion dependent, which has been shown to be associated with short- and long-term clinical consequences that reduce quality of life and shorten survival2,3. There is a high unmet need for many LR-MDS patients, particularly those with characteristics having poorer prognosis. Current treatment options for those failing ESA are limited to select sub-populations and there is an unmet need for treatments that can provide extended and continuous red blood cell transfusion independence.

Approval Based on Results from IMerge Phase 3 Clinical Trial

“For patients with lower-risk MDS and anemia who are transfusion dependent, we have very few options today and often cycle through available therapies, making the approval of Rytelo potentially practice changing for us,” said Rami Komrokji, MD, Vice Chair, Malignant Hematology Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, who was an investigator of the pivotal IMerge clinical trial. “What is exciting about Rytelo is the totality of the clinical benefit across LR-MDS patients irrespective of ring sideroblast status or high transfusion burden, including sustained and durable transfusion independence and increases in hemoglobin levels, all within a well-characterized safety profile of generally manageable cytopenias. The treatment goal for patients with LR-MDS and anemia is transfusion-independence and before today, this wasn’t possible for many patients.”

The FDA approval of Rytelo is based on results from the IMerge Phase 3 clinical trial, published in The Lancet 4. The IMerge trial met its primary and key secondary endpoints, with Rytelo demonstrating significantly higher rates of red blood cell transfusion independence (RBC-TI) versus placebo for at least eight consecutive weeks (Rytelo 39.8% [95% CI 30.9–49.3]; placebo 15.0% [7.1–26.6]; p<0.001) and for at least 24 weeks (Rytelo 28.0% [95% CI 20.1-37.0]; placebo 3.3% [95% CI 0.4-11.5]; p<0.001). RBC-TI was durable and sustained in the Rytelo treated population, with a median RBC-TI duration for 8-week responders and 24-week responders of approximately 1 year and 1.5 years, respectively.

In an exploratory analysis of Rytelo-treated patients achieving ≥8-week RBC-TI, median increases in hemoglobin were 3.6 g/dL for Rytelo and 0.8 g/dL for placebo. Clinically meaningful efficacy results were observed across key MDS subgroups irrespective of ring sideroblast (RS) status, baseline transfusion burden and IPSS risk category.

In the IMerge trial, the safety profile of Rytelo was well-characterized with generally manageable and short-lived thrombocytopenia and neutropenia, which are familiar side effects for hematologists who are experienced with managing cytopenias. The most common Grade 3/4 adverse reactions were neutropenia (72%) and thrombocytopenia (65%), which lasted a median duration of less than two weeks, and in more than 80% of patients were resolved to Grade < 2 in under four weeks. Cytopenias were generally manageable with dose modifications. The intravenous administration of Rytelo every four weeks aligns to routine blood count monitoring for these patients.

The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% with a difference between arms of >5% compared to placebo), including laboratory abnormalities, were decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia), decreased white blood cells, decreased neutrophils (neutropenia), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), fatigue, prolonged partial thromboplastin time, arthralgia/myalgia, COVID-19 infections, and headache. Clinically relevant adverse reactions in < 5% of patients who received Rytelo included febrile neutropenia, sepsis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and hypertension.

REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imetelstat

FDA Approves Rytelo (imetelstat) for the Treatment of Adult Patients with Lower-Risk MDS with Transfusion-Dependent Anemia

FDA Grants Accelerated Approval for Ojemda (tovorafenib) for Relapsed or Refractory BRAF-altered Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma

Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: DAWN) (“Day One” or the “Company”), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing targeted therapies for people of all ages with life-threatening diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ojemda (tovorafenib), a type II RAF inhibitor, for the treatment of patients 6 months of age and older with relapsed or refractory pLGG harboring a BRAF fusion or rearrangement, or BRAF V600 mutation. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate and duration of response. With the approval, Day One received a rare pediatric disease priority review voucher from the FDA.

“Ojemda ushers in a new day for children living with relapsed or refractory pLGG, and we are pleased that we can deliver a new medicine for these patients in desperate need of new treatment options. Moreover, Ojemda is the first and only FDA-approved medicine for children with BRAF fusions or rearrangements, which are the most common molecular alteration in pLGG,” said Jeremy Bender, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Day One. “We are very proud that our first approved medicine addresses this serious and life-threatening disease of childhood and adolescence. We are grateful to the pLGG community, including patients and their families, study investigators, non-profit organizations, and advocacy groups, for their collaboration and support as we strive to close the innovation gap for children with cancer awaiting new treatments.”

pLGG is the most common brain tumor diagnosed in children, with patients suffering profound tumor- and treatment-associated morbidities that can impact their life trajectory. BRAF is the most commonly altered gene in pLGG, with up to 75 percent of children having a BRAF alteration. Until now, there had been no medicines approved for patients with pLGG driven by BRAF fusions.

“pLGG is a chronic and relentless cancer that can devastate children and their families, often stealing their vision, balance and speech,” said Dr. Sabine Mueller, pediatric neuro-oncologist, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals. “The goal of pLGG treatment is to stabilize or shrink the tumor without further disrupting the child’s and family’s life. Historically, there has been no standard of care for children with pLGG who have relapsed. We are excited to welcome a new targeted treatment option with once-weekly oral dosing designed specifically for these kids and their families.”

Ojemda is the only systemic therapy for pLGG that offers once-weekly dosing, with or without food, as a tablet or oral suspension.

REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tovorafenib

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FDA Grants Accelerated Approval for Ojemda (tovorafenib) for Relapsed or Refractory BRAF-altered Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma

FDA Approves Onyda XR (clonidine hydrochloride) Non-Stimulant Liquid Treatment for ADHD

Tris Pharma, Inc. (Tris), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), pain, addiction and neurological disorders, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Onyda XR (clonidine hydrochloride), a once-a-day extended-release oral suspension with nighttime dosing, for the treatment of ADHD as a monotherapy or as an adjunctive therapy to approved central nervous system (CNS) stimulant medications in pediatric patients six years and older.

Onyda XR is the first non-stimulant ADHD medication in Tris’ portfolio, the first-and-only liquid non-stimulant ADHD medication approved in the United States and the only approved non-stimulant ADHD medication with nighttime dosing. Non-stimulant ADHD therapies are an important option for patients who do not respond adequately to stimulant medication or experience negative side effects from them, and they are increasingly used as an effective alternative to stimulant treatments. Onyda XR is expected to be available in pharmacies in the second half of 2024.

“People with ADHD require a range of therapeutic options that are designed for their individual needs, because not every medication or type of therapy works for every patient,” said Ann Childress, M.D. “The approval of Onyda XR, the only liquid non-stimulant ADHD medication, with nighttime dosing that shifts the release profile, is a convenient option for patients needing better ADHD control.”

Tris Pharma harnessed the flexibility of its proprietary LiquiXR® technology to develop Onyda XR, a liquid non-stimulant medication with a smooth, extended-release profile that physicians can use to treat ADHD patients either alone or in combination with stimulant therapy. This product adds to Tris’ comprehensive and expanding portfolio of leading ADHD therapies that enhance patient care for individuals with the disorder. The company’s ADHD therapies are available in both oral suspension (liquid) and solid (tablet) forms for administration to children and adults. Tris continues to grow its ADHD offerings with a pipeline of new medications that could have a substantial impact for those with the disorder.

“Securing FDA approval for Onyda XR is not just an important milestone, but a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovating and improving outcomes for this patient population,” said Ketan Mehta, Founder and CEO at Tris Pharma. “Our relentless pursuit to offer a range of ADHD medicines to patients of all ages does not stop here, and we look forward to continuing to expand our portfolio in other ADHD indications.”

The U.S. FDA approval of Onyda XR is based on adequate and well-controlled studies of clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets

REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonidine

FDA Approves Onyda XR (clonidine hydrochloride) Non-Stimulant Liquid Treatment for ADHD

FDA Approves Risvan (risperidone) for the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Today, Laboratorios Farmacéuticos Rovi, S.A. (“ROVI” or the “Company”) has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the marketing of Risvan® (Risperidone ISM®) for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

Risperidone ISM® is a prolonged-release injectable antipsychotic developed and patented by ROVI for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults, which, as of the first injection, provides immediate and sustained plasmatic drug levels and does not require loading doses or supplementation with oral risperidone.

This approval is based on the positive results of the pivotal PRISMA-3 study on the efficacy and safety of Risperidone ISM® in schizophrenia patients. The results obtained in this study show that the two different doses (75 mg and 100 mg once a month) have achieved the prespecified primary and secondary efficacy endpoints for treatment of patients with moderate to severe symptoms of schizophrenia. The primary efficacy endpoint, the PANSS total score (mean difference, CI: 95%), improved significantly with Risperidone ISM® 75 mg and 100 mg from the beginning until day 85, with adjusted differences of -13.0 (17.3 to -8-8; p <0.0001) and -13.3 (-17.6 to -8.9; p<0.0001), respectively, in comparison with the placebo. Significantly improved mean changes for the secondary endpoint, the CGI-S score, were also obtained for Risperidone ISM® in comparison with the placebo, -0.7 (-1.0 to -0.5; p<0.0001), for both doses, from the beginning until day 85. The significant statistical improvement for both efficacy results was observed as early as 8 days after the first injection. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events were increased blood prolactin (7.8%), headaches (7.3%), hyperprolactinemia (5%) and weight increase (4.8%). No important new or unexpected safety information was reported. Likewise, patients who successfully completed the double-blind period were offered the opportunity to continue in a long-term, open-label 12-month extension phase with once every four weeks injections of Risperidone ISM® (75 mg or 100 mg). New, clinically stable patients ("de novo" patients) were also able to enter this open phase of the study. Long-term treatment was observed to be effective, safe and well tolerated in adult patients with schizophrenia, regardless the initial severity of the disease or whether they had been treated previously with Risperidone ISM® during an acute exacerbation or switched from stable doses of oral risperidone. Likewise, Risperidone ISM® provided a swift and sustained improvement in functioning (both social and personal) and health-related quality of life. These findings, together with a quick onset of effectiveness, could help strengthen the therapeutic alliance and possibly lead to an earlier hospital discharge. Furthermore, the patient’s functioning either continued to improve or remained stable with long-term treatment.

Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risperidone

FDA Approves Risvan (risperidone) for the Treatment of Schizophrenia

FDA Approves Zevtera (ceftobiprole medocaril sodium) for Bacteremia, Skin and Skin Structure Infections, and Pneumonia

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, Allschwil (SIX: BSLN), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to meeting the needs of patients with severe bacterial and fungal infections, announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zevtera® (ceftobiprole medocaril sodium for injection), for the treatment of adult patients with Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (bacteremia) (SAB), including those with right-sided infective endocarditis, and adult patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and for adult and pediatric patients (3 months to less than 18 years old) with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).

David Veitch, Chief Executive Officer of Basilea, said: “We are excited with the US approval of Zevtera. The positive decision by the FDA is a key milestone towards bringing Zevtera to patients in the US. Zevtera has 10 years of market exclusivity from the date of approval and we believe the US provides the most important global commercial opportunity for the brand.”

Dr. Marc Engelhardt, Chief Medical Officer of Basilea, stated: “We are very pleased that the FDA approved Zevtera for all three indications that were submitted with the NDA, including a pediatric labelling. This approval is a landmark for ceftobiprole and reflects its broad clinical utility. The indication in adult patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, including those with right-sided infective endocarditis, caused by methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant isolates, MSSA and MRSA, addresses a real medical need, as current treatment options are limited.”

The New Drug Application (NDA) was supported by clinical efficacy and safety data from the phase 3 studies ERADICATE (SAB)1 and TARGET (ABSSSI),2 and a phase 3 study in CABP.3 The ERADICATE study was the largest double-blind randomized registrational study conducted for a new antibiotic treatment in SAB.

Vance G. Fowler, Jr., M.D., Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Molecular Genetics & Microbiology at the Duke University School of Medicine and academic lead investigator of the ERADICATE study, commented: “Complicated Staphylococcus aureus infections have a high mortality rate and are associated with substantial morbidity. We need more options for treating these infections, especially if MRSA is involved.”

Thomas Holland, M.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine and chair of the data review committee of the ERADICATE study, added: “There is a high medical need in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, therefore, the first approval of a therapy for this indication in over 15 years is highly welcome.”

Adesh Kaul, Chief Financial Officer of Basilea, added: “As we were moving towards completion of the regulatory review, especially with increasing visibility on the expected label, the external interest for commercial partnering increased. Whilst our initial goal was to have announced a commercial partnership by the time of approval of Zevtera in the US, in order to explore fully all potential partnering opportunities, we now expect to complete the process around mid-year. In parallel, we are also taking preparatory steps to shorten the launch timelines, once we have entered into a commercialization partnership.”

Basilea’s phase 3 program for ceftobiprole is funded in part with federal funds from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR); Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract number HHSO100201600002C. Through this partnership, Basilea has been awarded approximately USD 112 million, or approximately 75 percent of the costs related to the SAB and ABSSSI phase 3 studies, regulatory activities and non-clinical work.

About Zevtera® (ceftobiprole medocaril sodium for injection)

Ceftobiprole, the active moiety of the prodrug ceftobiprole medocaril, is an advanced generation cephalosporin antibiotic for intravenous administration, with rapid bactericidal activity against a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), and Gram-negative bacteria.4 In several countries in Europe and beyond, the brand is currently approved and marketed as Zevtera® and Mabelio® for the treatment of adult patients with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP), excluding ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP), and for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). Basilea has entered into license and distribution agreements covering more than 80 countries. In the United States, Zevtera is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (bacteremia) (SAB), including right-sided infective endocarditis, and adult patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and for adult and pediatric patients (3 months to less than 18 years old) with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).

Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceftobiprole

FDA Approves Zevtera (ceftobiprole medocaril sodium) for Bacteremia, Skin and Skin Structure Infections, and Pneumonia

FDA Approves Myhibbin (mycophenolate mofetil) Oral Suspension for Prophylaxis of Organ Rejection

Azurity Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative dose forms and formulations of products to serve the needs of overlooked patients, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Myhibbin™, the only ready-to-use mycophenolate mofetil oral suspension. Mycophenolate mofetil is an antimetabolite immunosuppressant used to protect a donated organ from being rejected from the body’s immune response. In 2023, there were over 46,000 transplants in the US and these patients need to take medication every day to fight against rejection. Myhibbin is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult and pediatric recipients 3 months of age and older of allogeneic kidney, heart, or liver transplants, in combination with other immunosuppressants.

“We are very pleased that adult and pediatric organ transplant recipients will soon have access to the only FDA-approved ready-to-use oral liquid formulation of mycophenolate,” said Richard Blackburn, CEO of Azurity Pharmaceuticals. “Patients are our priority, and our purpose is to bring them new formulations that help them benefit from established medicines. Myhibbin’s ready-to-use formulation provides patients, pharmacists, and caregivers an alternative to other mycophenolate dosage forms.”

REF : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycophenolic_acid

FDA Approves Myhibbin (mycophenolate mofetil) Oral Suspension for Prophylaxis of Organ Rejection

FDA Approves Libervant (diazepam) Buccal Film for the Treatment of Seizure Clusters in Pediatric Patients Ages 2-5 Years

Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AQST) (“Aquestive” or the “Company”), a pharmaceutical company advancing medicines to bring meaningful improvement to patients' lives through innovative science and delivery technologies, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Libervant™ (diazepam) Buccal Film for the acute treatment of intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity (i.e., seizure clusters, acute repetitive seizures) that are distinct from a patient’s usual seizure pattern in patients with epilepsy between 2 to 5 years of age.

“We are thrilled to have received FDA approval for Libervant™ in patients between the ages of two and five,” said Daniel Barber, Chief Executive Officer of Aquestive. “Patients have been waiting years for Libervant, the first and only FDA approved orally-administered rescue product for the treatment of seizure clusters. Our first priority is to provide and maintain availability of Libervant to the intended patient population. I am pleased to announce that we are currently able to accept and fill non-Medicaid prescriptions. We expect to expand our distribution capabilities over the coming weeks and months. I am also pleased with our continued track record of success with the FDA. We respect the FDA’s mission to protect public health and we will always seek to partner with the FDA wherever possible.”

“Libervant provides a new way to deliver diazepam for the treatment of acute repetitive seizure emergencies in children aged two to five,” said Michael Rogawski, M.D., Ph.D, distinguished professor of neurology and pharmacology, University of California, Davis, “The film is placed onto the buccal mucosa inside the cheek where it adheres firmly and dissolves quickly, delivering a consistent dose of diazepam. Studies show that the film is easy to administer and performs reliably in children as young as 2 years of age. Libervant is packaged in a compact foil pouch that is convenient to carry so that the treatment can be available wherever these children may be.”

In 2023, over 55,000 prescriptions were filled for patients between the ages of 2 and 5. This was an increase of 10.8% over the previous year and an average increase of 9.3% over the last three years for this patient population. Over 90% of filled prescriptions in 2023 for this patient population were for diazepam rectal gel. Prescription writing for this indication is highly concentrated among pediatric epileptologists and pediatric neurologists.

REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diazepam

FDA Approves Libervant (diazepam) Buccal Film for the Treatment of Seizure Clusters in Pediatric Patients Ages 2-5 Years

FDA Approves Pivya (pivmecillinam) for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Pivya (pivmecillinam) tablets for the treatment of female adults with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

“Uncomplicated UTIs are a very common condition impacting women and one of the most frequent reasons for antibiotic use,” said Peter Kim, M.D., M.S., director of the Division of Anti-Infectives in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The FDA is committed to fostering new antibiotic availability when they prove to be safe and effective, and Pivya will provide an additional treatment option for uncomplicated UTIs.”

Uncomplicated UTIs are bacterial infections of the bladder in females with no structural abnormalities of their urinary tract. Approximately one-half of all women experience at least one UTI in their lifetime.

Pivya’s efficacy in treating females 18 years of age or older with uncomplicated UTIs was assessed in three controlled clinical trials comparing different Pivya dosing regimens to placebo, to another oral antibacterial drug and to ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory drug). The primary measure of efficacy for the three trials was the composite response rate, which included clinical cure (resolution of the symptoms of the uncomplicated UTI that were present in patients at trial entry and no new symptoms) and microbiological response (demonstration that the bacteria cultured from patients’ urine at trial entry was reduced). The composite response rate was assessed approximately 8 to 14 days after patients were enrolled into the studies. In the clinical trial comparing Pivya to placebo, 62% of the 137 subjects who received Pivya achieved the composite response compared to 10% of the 134 who received placebo. In the clinical trial comparing Pivya to another oral antibacterial drug, 72% of the 127 subjects who received Pivya achieved composite response compared to 76% of the 132 who received the comparator drug. In the clinical trial comparing Pivya to ibuprofen, 66% of the 105 subjects who received Pivya achieved composite response compared to 22% of the 119 who received ibuprofen.

The most common side effects of Pivya included nausea and diarrhea.

Patients should not use Pivya if they have a known history of severe hypersensitivity to Pivya or other beta-lactam antibacterial drugs. Patients should also not use Pivya if they have primary or secondary carnitine deficiency resulting from inherited disorders of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and carnitine metabolism, or if they are suffering from porphyria.

Pivya comes with certain warnings and precautions such as hypersensitivity reactions, severe cutaneous adverse reactions, carnitine depletion, Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea and interference with a newborn screening test for isovaleric acidemia, a rare metabolic disorder.

Pivya was granted Priority Review and Qualified Infectious Disease Product designations for this indication.

The FDA granted the approval of Pivya to UTILITY therapeutics Ltd.

FDA Approves Pivya (pivmecillinam) for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections

FDA Approves Voydeya (danicopan) as Add-On Therapy for the Treatment of Extravascular Hemolysis in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

Voydeya (danicopan) has been approved in the US as an add-on therapy to eculizumab or eculizumab for the treatment of extravascular hemolysis (EVH) in adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Voydeya is a first-in-class, oral, Factor D inhibitor developed as an add-on to standard-of-care Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) or Soliris (eculizumab) to address the needs of approximately 10-20% of patients with PNH who experience clinically significant EVH while treated with a C5 inhibitor.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval was based on positive results from the pivotal ALPHA Phase III trial. Results from the 12-week primary evaluation period of the trial were published in The Lancet Haematology.

Bart Scott, MD, Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Washington Medical Center, and Professor, Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, said: “The approval of Voydeya offers this small subset of PNH patients an add-on therapy designed to address EVH, while maintaining disease control with Ultomiris or Soliris. Terminal complement inhibition with Ultomiris can address the life-threatening complications of PNH, building on the efficacy and safety of Soliris established over nearly 20 years.”

Marc Dunoyer, Chief Executive Officer, Alexion, said: “The approval of first-in-class, Factor D inhibitor Voydeya marks an important advancement in the treatment of PNH and builds on our leadership and commitment to bring forward innovation in complement science. As the ALPHA trial suggests, dual complement pathway inhibition at Factor D and C5 may be an optimal treatment approach for this subset of patients with EVH, enabling them to continue with proven standard-of-care therapy.”

The ALPHA Phase III trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Voydeya as add-on to Ultomiris or Soliris in patients with PNH who experienced clinically significant EVH. Results showed that Voydeya met the primary endpoint of change in hemoglobin from baseline to week 12 and all key secondary endpoints, including transfusion avoidance and change in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) score.

Results from the ALPHA Phase III trial showed Voydeya was generally well tolerated, and no new safety concerns were identified. In the trial, the most common treatment-emergent adverse events were headache, nausea, arthralgia and diarrhea.

Voydeya has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the US FDA and PRIority MEdicines (PRIME) status by the European Medicines Agency. Voydeya has also been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the US, European Union (EU) and Japan for the treatment of PNH. Voydeya has been approved in Japan and recommended for approval in the EU. Regulatory reviews are ongoing in additional countries.

Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danicopan

FDA Approves Voydeya (danicopan) as Add-On Therapy for the Treatment of Extravascular Hemolysis in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria