Each month, Camargo’s “In the News” series highlights important changes and advancements in the regulatory and development space and explore how those changes could impact your program. Fitbit developing algorithm for early detection of COVID-19 Fitbit recently posted a study that may indicate the company’s
Whether you plan to out-license or commercialize your product, getting the label right matters. When putting together a comprehensive drug development plan, it’s important to remember one of Camargo’s key approaches to drug development: “Begin with the end in mind.” This is a multifactorial mindset
Oncology patients face a difficult journey — a frightening diagnosis followed by intricate and oftentimes burdensome treatment regimens with uncertain outcomes. One patient struggles to take the correct dosage at the prescribed times through the “brain fog” caused by his cancer. Another’s livelihood is at
In a previous blog post, we discussed some significant changes to over-the-counter (OTC) product regulations put into place by the passage and signing into law of the CARES Act. The previous post focused on the most attention-getting OTC component of the new law: the introduction
A lot of our focus in previous blogs has been on how to best negotiate regulatory hurdles to get your product approved as quickly and cheaply as possible, and how to differentiate your product from the marketed products. And as we have previously blogged, to
It is a widely held tenet that market exclusivity is essential for the successful launch of a new drug. But is this always the case? For products approved through the FDA 505(b)(2) pathway, is pursuing the 3-year period of exclusivity available through Hatch-Waxman always necessary?
As we have noted in this blog previously, under the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA), all new drug applications for a new active ingredient, new indication, new dosage form, new dosing regimen, or new route of administration are required to contain an assessment of the
FDA held a public hearing this past Friday (27March2015) to air their proposal that generic companies be responsible for updating their labeling whenever ‘new safety information’* is available. Generic companies argue against such a proposal because it would lead to confusion about safety warnings if
The FDA recently provided a summary of new drug approvals in 2014 pointing to an 18-year high. According to its website, the FDA approved 41 novel medicines in 2014, 14 more than in 2013. Nearly 40% of the new drugs approved in 2014 were for
In order to fulfill a requirement specified in Section 745A(a) of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (aka FDASIA), FDA recently issued a draft guidance directing mandatory use of electronic filing and formatting for most regulatory submissions which currently can still be submitted
MannKind’s Afrezza Receives FDA Approval In June of this year, MannKind Corporation announced that they received FDA approval for Afrezza®, their rapid-acting inhaled insulin product. MannKind is currently working to identify a pharma partner to manufacture and distribute Afrezza, and the product could be available
With the tsunami of activities connected with the initial implementation of all the GDUFA requirements, another change made by FDA went largely under the radar. FDA released the draft guidance, “Pre-Launch Activities Importation Requests (PLAIR)”. (CDER July 2013) which describes how an NDA/ANDA applicant may
The goal of drug product development is commercial success. If this statement wasn’t true, how would patients access the live-saving or life-enhancing drugs we are developing. Yet, all too many companies focus just on FDA approval, which in our view should be just a very important
On 6/30/2013, FDA approved Noven Pharmaceuticals Brisdelle (paroxetine) for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes). This 505(b)(2) approval is notable since it is the first non-hormonal product product approved for this indication. But from a regulatory point of view, it is even more interesting
The Camargo team got its start in the 505(b)(2) process at Duramed Pharmaceuticals with the 1990’s development and approval of Cenestin (synthetic conjugated estrogens, A). The product was approved based on a Phase 3 clinical study demonstrating the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS)
When we started Camargo almost 10 years ago, products approved under 505j were called ‘generics’ and 505(b)(1) ‘new drugs’. We could find no consensus of a name for products approved via 505(b)(2). Of course, when Camargo started business, there had been very few 505(b)(2) products approved. Fast forward 10
One anomaly to the exclusivity rules is that a combination drug product containing a new chemical entity (NCE) and one or more previously approved drugs does not receive the 5-year exclusivity that a single-component NCE drug would receive. Thus, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Prepopik (sodium picosulfate, citric acid and
Announcement of the decision from the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in the United States v. Alfred Caronia generated a lot of discussion this past week, as well it might. The appellate court overturned the criminal conviction of pharmaceutical sales representative Alfred Caronia
There are not many instances of a generic version of a reference drug approved via the 505(b)(2) pathway. Last Friday, FDA approved Watson’s generic of Teva’s Plan B One-Step [progestin]. Watson will call its version Next Choice One Dose. For history and industry buffs, Plan
As I wrote last week, on 4/9/12 the FDA denied ViroPharma’s request for 3-year exclusivity for its antibiotic Vancocin and approved three generics. ViroPharma immediately sued the heads of FDA and HHS and their Agencies. In a U.S. District Court decision, the judge denied ViroPharma’s motions to
It’s happened in most generic product development programs: A likely looking drug product candidate is selected and the due diligence begins. A review of the Orange Book shows one or more “use code” patents listed for the RLD. A review of the actual patent reveals
ViroPharma has pulled out all stops to prevent generic copies of its off-patent Vancocin® capsule (vancomycin hydrochloride) including the use of the Citizen Petition process. Recently, FDA denied most of the requests in their Citizen Petition and simultaneously approved generics from 3 companies. ViroPharma immediately responded
In a speech at yesterday’s 2012 TEDMED conference, the head of the NIH, Dr. Francis Collins, said that there is a big gap between basic research and drugs for patients. To bridge this gap he suggested ‘some of those old drugs could be re-purposed —
A recent editorial (may need subscription) in the New York Times opined that a recent Supreme Court decision – a “bizarre outcome” – “makes it virtually impossible to sue generic manufacturers for failing to provide adequate warning of a prescription drug’s dangers.” The court case the Times
I had a call from a client who wondered if he could launch a new ‘DESI’ product. He had just read the FDA’s recent announcement that it would take immediate enforcement action on any unapproved drug introduced into the market after September 19, 2011. So,
A lot of generic companies are breathing easier today. As we discussed in this blog before, two district courts ruled that generic companies must comply with state laws and add warnings to the label even if it differs from that of the brand product (the
How would you like to spend a couple of hundred thousands of dollars (or equivalent local currency) and countless months getting FDA approval and patent expiration and then face 14 competitors? What’s the ROI for that? June 1, 2011 Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets, Matrix Laboratories Ltd.,
In previous postings (Intro, Part 1, Part 2), I provided background on KV’s Makena (17a-hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection aka 17P). The development and regulatory history contains many lessons. In this posting I’d like to examine the use of public information to substitute for sponsors’ studies. By
In a previous posting, I provided background on KV’s Makena (17?-hydroprogesterone caproate injection aka 17P). The development and regulatory history contains many lessons. In this posting I’d like to examine the choice of regulatory route. Makena was approved under 505(b)(2) as seen from the approval
We join everyone else this time of year and develop a list – ours is a list of FDA approvals made under 505(b)(2). As widely reported (WSJ article here) FDA reported that approvals were down in 2010. Frankly, it’s hard to tell what the figures
The 505(b)(2) pathway is very often cost efficient and lower risk because the NDA application can reference existing preclinical and even human safety studies for the active ingredient. Most often, the excipients used are GRAS-listed. Thus, the applicant doesn’t have to conduct much additional preclinical
On the new drug side we have had user fees since 1992. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) has been renewed many times. The Act provides that FDA will adhere to certain goals in return for fees levied on industry. The pharmaceutical industry has
Lannett Co., Inc. and its subsidiary Cody Laboratories manufacture Morphine Sulfate Immediate Release Concentrated Oral Solution 20mg/mL. Readers will remember that the various manufacturers of morphine solution were the first to receive FDA enforcement letters based on the Agency’s Unapproved Drugs Initiative. Roxane Laboratories filed
FDA announced the new PDUFA user fees for fiscal year 2011 (starts October 1, 2010). The fee for a full application containing clinical data is $1,542,000. For a supplement or an NDA not requiring clinical data, the fee is $771,000. A clinical study is generally
Many drug development projects stem from licensing an invention or product. Agreeing on the cost of the license is critical to the licensee to assure that the project is economically feasible. The licensor is interested in maximizing the value of the invention. How do you
The media has been very involved in the Avandia case. Headlines or page 1 stories in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the British press seemed to take sides rather than report the facts (okay, I shouldn’t be surprised). Today, the day after
The media is crazed with interpretations of the FDA and GSK briefing materials for the Advisory Committee meeting this week regarding the safety of Avandia (rosiglitazone). For those readers who’d like to read the original documents themselves, here are the links. July 13—14, 2010:
In an overwhelming 19-1 vote , the FDA joint advisory committee meeting held yesterday (4/22/2010) recommended that the FDA not approve Acura/King’s proposed oxycodone + niacin tablet. As we commented on Wednesday of this week, the sponsor’s data showed that about 16% of the intended patients
An FDA advisory meeting is scheduled tomorrow (4/22/2010) to review Acura Pharmaceuticals proposed Acurox® (oxycodone + niacin) immediate release tablets. Acura had submitted and NDA in December 2008 and received a Complete Response letter from FDA in June 2009 (a Complete Response letter is a
On February 19th, 2010, FDA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to revise 21 CFR §§ 16, 58, 71, 101, 171, 190, 312, 511, 571 and 812 to require Sponsors of the various impacted regulatory applications to file a report with FDA providing
At GPhA last week, one of the CEO’s on an industry panel said that big pharma spent more on DTC (direct-to-consumer) advertising than on R&D. Clearly, generic companies don’t like this promotional activity, but I was skeptical of the facts. A quick Google of DTC costs
I attended the Annual GPhA meeting this past week. This event is attended by the CEO’s and other top brass of most of the major generic pharmaceutical companies. This year was highlighted by a presentation from the FDA Commissioner, Dr. Margaret Hamburg. In her remarks, Dr.
John Jenkins, Office of New Drugs Director, remarked on the low rate (30 percent) of firstcycle approvals for standard review applications (‘The Pink Sheet,’ Dec. 7, 2008). He attributed the low approval rate in part to the submission of applications that require amendments, often because
Yesterday I presented an audioconference on 505(b)(2) candidate selection. A participant posed the following question: What if our company is developing a drug product (A) and a competitor is also developing a similar product (A’). Can both be approved? The way this would normally work
2009 saw a record number of 505(b)(2) approvals. A total of thirty-three (33) 505(b)(2) NDA’s were approved by FDA in calendar 2009: 23 new formulations 1 New Molecular Entity 5 new combinations of existing drugs 4 drugs already marketed, but without an approved NDA We
The FDA issued a draft guidance “Draft Guidance for Industry: Incorporation of Physical-Chemical Identifiers (PCID) into Solid Oral Dosage Form Drug Products for Anticounterfeiting” on July 13, 2009. This PCID guidance focuses on the use of inks, pigments, flavors and other physical-chemical identifiers that can
At first, Monday’s (11/16/09) news from CombinatoRx said that the FDA had told the company “that the NDA in its current form would not be sufficient to form the basis for approval of Exalgoâ„¢ under Section 505(b)(1)”. Then, on Friday (11/20/09), the company said that
Xanodyne obtained 505(b)(2) approval for tranexamic acid for use in treating heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). The RLD is Cyklokapron(R) which is used to treat hemophilia and to reduce the need for replacement therapy during and following tooth extraction. The RLD received orphan approval in 1986.
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to present at the 2009 Nebraska Research and Innovation Conference. The theme of my talk was “The Case for Improving Existing Drugs”. There are several factors driving people to the 505(b)(2) development pathway, a couple of which
Late last week Allergan initiated a novel approach to avoiding FDA regulatory action on off label promotions: a lawsuit, complete with a request for an injunction against FDA. Specifically, Allergan alleges that because FDA prohibits promotion of off label uses for Botox, Allergan’s First Amendment right
Colchicine Tablets were approved by FDA on 7/29 & 7/30/09 (approval letters not yet posted as of this writing). Two NDA’s were submitted, one for the treatment of acute gout and the other for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Pretty amazing and interesting for a number of
I was honored to be invited to speak at the FDA-OCRA 12th Annual Educational Conference in Irvine California on June 10, 2009. I was asked to discuss and compare the 505(b)(2) and ANDA Suitability Petition. I thought I should share this topic with the readers
Cheerios® – venerable breakfast cereal or…drug? Last month the FDA issued a warning letter to General Mills CEO Ken Powell, informing him that the cholesterol-lowering claims on the Cheerios label transformed it from food product to unapproved drug. The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act
The FDA approved VeroScience’s Cycloset (bromocriptine mesylate) 0.8mg tablets on May 5 as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The NDA was first submitted in 1997 – before the 505(b)(2) guidance. The API, bromocriptine
Not all clients come to us with product ideas. Indeed, they want us to help identify a short list of suitable candidates. Example companies might include technology platform companies. How do we go about helping these clients? We have a four-step process: Criteria Selection, Criteria
All NDA submissions require that a draft label be included. For a 505(b)(2) NDA, where do you get the information for this label? What labeling is required? What is labeling? Well, the “label” is what is on the immediate container of the drug product and
You may read in the news or a company press release that a manufacturing site has received a ‘483. This is usually considered bad news. Indeed, failure to remedy observations in a ‘483 can lead to withheld product approvals or even plant closure. When the
Read the headline again – ‘Brand-name drugs no better than generics’. This headline was on MSNBC/MSN web site and originated from a Reuters article reporting on a study conducted by Dr. Aaron Kesselheim of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. The study
Many companies are attempting to reduce the GI bleeding, ulcers and perforations caused by administration of NSAIDS (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin). Since Vioxx was removed from the market (and it was a safer NSAID with respect to GI), there has been an surge of NSAID
IP attorney Stephen Albainy-Jenai and I just concluded a webinar hosted by DIA entitled 505(b)(2) Patent & Exclusivity. 23 different companies attended, showing the increasing interest in 505(b)(2) issues. Earlier this year, DIA hosted my overview of the 505(b)(2) drug development process where the attendees had many questions asking
We’ve been observing the FDA crackdown on unapproved DESI and OTC drugs. The reason that Congress and FDA have made these moves is a concern for safety. Industry counters that these drugs have been used safely for years. Frankly, there is a lack of data
Rats, mice, dogs, pigs – ANDA folks don’t have to deal with testing generic products in animals. As long as the excipients are previously approved, generic drugs don’t have to conduct any preclinical studies. 505(b)(2) development programs may need to include some preclinical studies depending