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BridgeBio Secures $300 Million Royalty Financing to Support ATTR-CM Drug Launch

  • BridgeBio Pharma secured $300 million in upfront financing by selling 60% of European royalties for BEYONTTRA to HealthCare Royalty and Blue Owl Capital.
  • The transaction monetizes royalties on the first $500 million of annual BEYONTTRA net sales in Europe with a 1.45x cap on total investor payments.
  • Acoramidis demonstrated rapid clinical benefits in Phase 3 trials, showing 42% reduction in cardiovascular events and 50% reduction in cardiovascular hospitalizations.
  • The drug is approved as Attruby in the US and BEYONTTRA in Europe for treating transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).

Investor Challenges Avadel Board Over Alleged Lumryz Launch Mismanagement

  • ASL Strategic Value Fund, holding $15 million in Avadel shares, plans to push for board removal citing mismanagement of Lumryz drug launch.
  • The investment firm alleges the mishandled launch cost Avadel hundreds of millions in potential revenue for the narcolepsy treatment.
  • ASL is calling for Avadel to hire an investment bank and explore strategic alternatives including a potential sale.
  • Lumryz received FDA approval last year for treating narcolepsy symptoms in children aged 7 and older, targeting a disorder affecting sleep-wake cycle regulation.

FDA Approves Voranigo (Vorasidenib) as First Targeted Therapy for IDH-Mutant Glioma

  • The FDA approved Voranigo (vorasidenib) on August 6, 2024, as the first targeted treatment for Grade 2 IDH-mutant astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma in patients 12 years and older.
  • Phase 3 INDIGO trial results showed Voranigo significantly extended progression-free survival to 27.7 months compared to 11.1 months with placebo.
  • The drug works by blocking mutant IDH1 and IDH2 enzymes, reducing tumor activity and crossing the blood-brain barrier to effectively treat brain tumors.
  • Common side effects include tiredness (37%), COVID-19 (33%), and muscle or joint pain (26%), with liver function monitoring required during treatment.
NCT06478212RecruitingPhase 1
Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier
Posted 1/22/2025
NCT03343197CompletedPhase 1
Institut de Recherches Internationales Servier
Posted 3/20/2018

FDA Approves Gamifant as First Treatment for Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Still's Disease

  • The FDA has approved Gamifant (emapalumab-lzsg) as the first-ever treatment for adults and children with macrophage activation syndrome in Still's disease, marking a significant breakthrough for patients with this life-threatening condition.
  • Clinical trials demonstrated that 54% of patients achieved complete response at week 8, with 82% reaching clinical MAS remission, providing new hope for managing severe hyperinflammation.
  • This approval addresses a critical unmet medical need for patients with MAS, offering an alternative to high-dose glucocorticoids and potentially reducing reliance on conventional therapies with significant side effects.

FDA-Approved Tovorafenib Offers New Treatment Option for Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma with BRAF V600 Mutations

  • Tovorafenib (Ojemda) is approved for treating low-grade glioma that has returned after previous treatments failed, specifically targeting tumors with BRAF V600 mutations.
  • The oral medication is available for adults and children as young as 6 months old, administered once weekly as either tablets or oral suspension.
  • Treatment requires genetic testing to confirm BRAF V600 mutations before initiation and regular monitoring for potential side effects including bleeding, liver problems, and growth impacts in children.
  • Common side effects include fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, cold-like symptoms, and skin reactions, with serious adverse events requiring immediate medical attention.

FDA Maintains Record-Breaking Approval Pace Despite Organizational Upheaval, Highlighting Three Breakthrough Therapies

  • The FDA has approved 84 drugs in 2025 so far, marking the second-highest total for this period despite major organizational changes including 3,500 staff layoffs.
  • Gilead's Yeztugo represents a potential game-changer for HIV prevention with 100% efficacy in phase 3 trials and twice-yearly dosing, though priced at $28,218 annually.
  • Daiichi Sankyo's ADC portfolio expansion continues with Datroway's lung cancer approval, while GSK's Blujepa becomes the first new urinary tract infection antibiotic in three decades.

Swissmedic Launches Fast-Track Clinical Trial Review to Accelerate Patient Access to Life-Saving Treatments

  • Swissmedic introduces a pilot fast-track procedure for clinical trial applications, reducing review times from 30 to 20 days for known investigational drugs and from 60 to 40 days for first-in-human studies.
  • The accelerated process prioritizes studies addressing high medical need where no approved treatment options exist in Switzerland, positioning the country ahead of EU standards.
  • The pilot program runs from July 2025 through 2026, with potential permanent implementation by 2027, while maintaining all safety requirements and regulatory standards.
  • This initiative aims to strengthen Switzerland's position as a leading clinical research location and provide patients faster access to innovative, potentially life-saving therapies.

FDA Approves Streamlined Access for Bristol Myers Squibb CAR T Cell Therapies

  • The FDA has approved label updates for Bristol Myers Squibb's CAR T cell therapies Breyanzi and Abecma, reducing patient monitoring requirements and removing Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) programs.
  • Key changes include reducing driving restrictions from 8 weeks to 2 weeks post-treatment and decreasing the requirement to stay near healthcare facilities from 4 weeks to 2 weeks following infusion.
  • These updates reflect growing real-world evidence from over 30,000 patients treated with CAR T cell therapy, with studies showing most serious adverse events occur within the first two weeks of infusion.
  • Currently only about 2 in 10 eligible patients receive cell therapy treatment due to logistical and geographic barriers, which these label changes aim to address.

FDA Rejects Accelerated Approval for Edgewise's Sevasemten in Becker Muscular Dystrophy

  • The FDA declined to consider Edgewise Therapeutics' sevasemten for accelerated approval in Becker muscular dystrophy, citing insufficient data from the Phase II CANYON trial.
  • The agency affirmed that North Star Ambulatory Assessment scores can serve as a clinically meaningful endpoint for traditional approval, providing a clear regulatory pathway forward.
  • Edgewise must now rely on its ongoing Phase III GRAND CANYON trial, which is expected to read out in Q4 2026 and is designed to demonstrate statistical significance versus placebo.
  • The company's stock dropped 10% following the announcement, though analysts noted the decision was not unexpected given the FDA's tightened stance on accelerated approval requirements.

First European Patient Receives Breakthrough Treatment for Ultra-Rare APDS Immune Disorder

  • Mary Catchpole, 19, becomes the first European patient to receive leniolisib (Joenja), a newly approved targeted treatment for activated PI3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS), a rare inherited immune disorder.
  • The drug works by inhibiting an overactive enzyme that disrupts immune function, offering a potential cure for patients who previously faced lifelong infections and invasive treatments.
  • APDS was discovered by Cambridge researchers in 2013 with help from Catchpole's family, who lost four members to the condition before this breakthrough treatment became available.
  • The NHS approved leniolisib at a list price of £352,000 per year with a confidential discount, potentially benefiting up to 50 patients over age 12 in England.
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