Regulatory Oversight and Compliance

More than 6000 rare diseases—those which affect fewer than one in 2000 people each—are acknowledged in the medical community, with 72% of them being genetic.

Treatments for autoimmune diseases, multiple cancers, and skin blistering have been recommended for marketing approval.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, or CTX, is a metabolic disorder caused by a gene mutation that results in a deficiency of an important enzyme in the ability of the human body to break down fats.

Seladelpar, which is marketed in the US as Livdelzi, was recommended for an orphan drug designation by CHMP in December 2024.

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) is rare and non-malignant, forming in or near joints, but which if left untreated can cause damage to joints and surrounding tissue, potentially leading to significant disability.

The approval makes Evrysdi the first and only tablet for treating spinal muscular atrophy.

With the approval, FDA granted SpringWorks a rare pediatric disease priority review voucher.

Acoramidis was approved by FDA in November 2024 and is prescribed in the US under the brand name Attruby.

While this approval addresses breast cancer, olaparib in combination with durvalumab was approved by the EU in August 2024 for treatment of endometrial cancer.

These infections can be caused by certain Gram-negative microorganisms, making the infections challenging to control due to high antimicrobial resistance.

EMA introduced its New Fee Regulation in January 2025, but what impact will the new fees and charges have on medicine developers?

Bio/pharma companies have a lot to consider when tackling social media communications, especially within Europe.

Another eight medications already authorized in the EU were recommended for extensions of various indications.

Drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk said the approval establishes Ozempic as the most broadly indicated GLP-1 RA in its class.

Data from a Phase III study that evaluated lazertinib, in combination with amivantamab, in comparison to osimertinib as a first-line treatment resulted in the EC’s decision.

Imfinzi received an expanded indication for lung cancer from FDA in August 2024, and Tagrisso had been approved to treat lung cancer in China in June 2024.

The agency’s newly issued letter to Sanofi amends one sent in December 2024, and stems from inspections at its Massachusetts drug manufacturing facility in June and July 2024.

The HTAR, which aims to increase access to new medicines, becomes effective Jan. 12, 2025.

Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, has announced her retirement from the agency.

CNP-104 is a biodegradable nanoparticle that previously received fast track designation from FDA in January 2022, which would eventually make it eligible for accelerated approval and priority review.

Posdinemab is the second tau-directed investigational therapy by J&J that has received fast track designation from FDA this year for Alzheimer’s disease.

The final guidance is a revision of a policy that has existed in some form since at least 2009, while a separate, draft guidance will accept public comment for consideration for its final version through April 8.

With this approval, HYQVIA [Immune Globulin Infusion 10% (human) with Recombinant Human Hyaluronidase] becomes the first and only facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin available in Japan to treat these disorders.

The comment period for the Federal Register Notice, “Evaluating the Immunogenicity Risk of Host Cell Proteins in Follow-on Recombinant Peptide Products: Establishment of a Public Docket: Request for Information and Comments”, has been reopened by FDA until March 3, 2025.

FDA's approval of Hikma Pharmaceuticals’ liraglutide injection makes this product the first generic version of Victoza, a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Revised guidelines published by EMA and HMA update the rules on identification of commercially confidential information and personal data used in marketing authorization applications.

EMA recommended 17 drugs for marketing authorization in December, including treatments for rare heart conditions, anemia, and liver disease.

The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research’s new center will coordinate and promote use of real-word data in regulatory decisions.

The draft guidance provides information on the agency’s accelerated approval process and criteria for approval.

The European Commission has developed a roadmap aimed at reversing the rising trend of cancer across the European Union.