Lynne Peterson is the Senior Medical Writer for Trends-in-Medicine.
Here is the medical news to watch for Feb. 22-28, 2021.
Allergy/Asthma: The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (AAAAI) will take place virtually Feb. 26 through March 1. There will be ~100 live and ~50 pre-recorded sessions, with everything archived for future viewing if you miss something. Many posters will have accompanying videos. Among the data to watch: A number of presentations on Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ Dupixent (dupilumab) for atopic dermatitis, asthma, eosinophilic esophagitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. There will also be news on novel experimental therapies, including a phase II trial of a drug for asthmatic people allergic to cats (Regeneron’s REGN1908-1909).
Cardiology: The Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT) virtual meeting started on Feb. 13 and is continuing every Friday and Saturday through April 24. On Friday, Feb. 26, there will be a discussion of regulatory issues relating to innovative technology and the regulatory pathway in the U.S. and Japan. On Saturday, Feb. 27, the program will include a session on mitral and tricuspid valve programs as well as a focused session on women in interventional cardiology.
Covid-19: The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Feb. 26 to review Johnson & Johnson’s Ad26.COV2.S (JNJ-78436735), a one-dose, room temperature-stable Covid-19 vaccine. If the panel is positive, expect the FDA to issue an emergency use authorization very quickly.
Nephrology: The FDA is expected to make a decision by Feb. 28 on CorMedix’s Defencath (taurolidine, Neutrolin in Europe), a synthetic broad-spectrum antimicrobial/antifungal with Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation, for use as a catheter lock solution in hemodialysis patients to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections.
Neurology
- The virtual World Congress on Neurology and Therapeutics will take place Feb. 22-23. Most of the usual topics will be covered, from Alzheimer’s disease to stem cells, spinal disorders, addiction, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, new treatments and therapies, and more. But it looks like it is mostly if not entirely pre-recorded without audience interaction.
- The ACTRIMS Forum will take place virtually Feb. 25-27. Among the topics to be discussed are the role of low sun exposure to development of pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS), novel therapies for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), the effects of aging on MS, cutting edge developments, and more.
- The FDA is expected to make a decision by Feb. 25 on a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) – Sarepta Therapeutics’ casimersen (SRP-4045) – to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Oncology: The FDA is expected to make a decision by Feb. 28 on:
- Athenex’s oral paclitaxel (with encequidar) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The FDA said an advisory committee is not necessary.
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi’s Libtayo (cemiplimab-rwlc), a PD-1 inhibitor, to treat locally advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Ophthalmology: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s Interactive Consultations in Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery meeting will take place virtually on Feb. 27. There will be a full day of lectures with live panel discussions – but they won’t be archived – so don’t miss it because you can’t play catch up. Besides the topics in the title, there will be talks on dry eye, keratoconus, artificial iris implants, and more.
Rare diseases: The Gene Therapy for Rare Disorders virtual meeting will take place Feb. 22-25. The focus of this industry-focused meeting will be on overcoming the late-stage commercial challenges drug developers face when delivering gene therapies to market, looking at regulatory, reimbursement, clinical, and manufacturing hurdles.
Lynne Peterson, Contributing Writer, Senior Writer for Trends-in-Medicine
Cat ID: 100
Topic ID: 80,100,914,22,24,190,100,101,127,130,33,36,925,240,164
