Califf Says Accelerated Approval A ‘Different Objective’ And ‘Lower Hurdle’

The US FDA's comment came in response to a question about whether accelerated approval encourages sponsors to conduct lower-quality studies to enter the market.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf spoke extensively about accelerated approval and areas for reform on 31 March. • Source: Alamy

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said using the accelerated approval pathway does not indicate the development program is inferior to one seeking a regular clearance, but also suggested the unvalidated surrogate used with the expedited pathway was a “lower hurdle.”

During the 31 March Stat Breakthrough Science Summit, Califf said accelerated approval was intended to defer information on clinical outcomes...

Pink Sheet Podcast

Learn what's happening at the US FDA. On the go.

Derrick Gingery and the team bring you a weekly "Drug Fix".

More from Review Pathways

PS-Pathways&Standards (Free-1): Industrial Chemicals Within Us - The Ubiquity of Industrial Products in the Human Body

 
• By 

Exploring How Everyday Industrial Compounds Enter Our Systems, Their Health Implications, and the Ongoing Quest for Safer Alternatives .

Brazil Issues Guidance On Regulatory Reliance & Equivalent Authorities

 

Brazilian regulator Anvisa is relying on the decisions of its foreign counterparts as a means of ensuring more quality medicines are made available in the country.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis Drug Confirmatory Trials Aim To Avoid Hurdles That Tripped Up Ocaliva

 
• By 

The FDA and sponsors of two new accelerated approval drugs for PBC have taken steps in study design, initiation and reporting transparency to ensure timely completion; Intercept’s COBALT trial of obeticholic acid was negatively impacted by product safety labeling changes and a high crossover rate to commercial drug.

UK MHRA First-Half New Drug Approvals Show Overwhelming Use Of EU Reliance Procedures

 
• By 

The UK regulator approved 16 medicines containing a new active substance in the first half of this year, while the European Commission issued marketing authorizations for 20 NAS-containing drugs.

More from Pathways & Standards

Anvisa To Access US FDA-Reviewed Data For More Robust Evaluations In Brazil

 

Brazil has also published its recent regulatory reliance regulations in English, a move designed to increase confidence in its decisions as it presses on with aligning its national practices with global best practices.

Califf: Rare Disease Hub Will Develop Methods To Guide Approvability Determinations

 

The US FDA commissioner also said the hub is looking for an executive director who will work with the CBER and CDER heads, who will serve as co-leads.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis Drug Confirmatory Trials Aim To Avoid Hurdles That Tripped Up Ocaliva

 
• By 

The FDA and sponsors of two new accelerated approval drugs for PBC have taken steps in study design, initiation and reporting transparency to ensure timely completion; Intercept’s COBALT trial of obeticholic acid was negatively impacted by product safety labeling changes and a high crossover rate to commercial drug.