FDA News: Brain Implants, Rare Disease Day, Flu Vaccine Effectiveness, Duodenoscope Surveillance – Drug and Device Digest

FDA BRIEF: Week of February 26, 2018


Capture.JPGBrain Implant for Some Blind People Shows Benefits of FDA’s Breakthrough Device Program

FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program is beginning to show important results

  • Second Sight Medical Products Inc.’s Orion Cortical Visual Prosthesis System
  • Early FDA interactions for flexible study design, review team support, and senior management engagement
  • Involved specialists across disciplines such as ophthalmology and neurology
  • Solved any potential stumbling blocks – e.g. measuring benefits/risks

Novel technology with novel way to evaluate benefits/risks of device

  • Mimics perception of light through miniature video camera worn by patient
  • Transmits signals to implant in their visual cortex
  • CDRH approved clinical trial involves five patients at two sites;  first patient received the implant on Jan. 30, 2018

READ


Capture.JPGTaking new steps to  meet the challenges of rare diseases – FDA markets 11th Rare Disease Day

One out of every 10 Americans lives with at least one of more than 7,000 rare diseases

  • U.S. observes last day of February as Rare Disease Day
  • Raise awareness about rare diseases and their impact on patient’s lives
  • What more FDA can do to advance needs of patients and families

FDA incentives, approvals, trends

  • Orphan Drug Act financial and other incentives (1983)
  • Humanitarian Device Exemption regulatory path for devices (1990)
  • >650 therapies, 72 devices approved
  • Increasing emphasis on personalized medicine, including genetically targeted drug development

Modernization and new initiatives

  • Orphan Drug Designation Modernization Plan for more efficient process
  • Orphan Products Council to further address scientific and regulatory challenges
  • New Memorandum of Understanding with National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) to conduct outreach
  • Public meeting om changing landscape of orphan drug development

New Website

READ


Capture.JPG

FDA’s ongoing efforts to help improve effectiveness of influenza vaccines

Working to determine the root causes

  • Collaborating with CMS to use large database with details of flu vaccine administered to four million individuals
  • Better understand less than optimal effectiveness with both cell-based and egg-based vaccines
  • Potential differences in outcomes between high-dose vs. normal dose

Looking ahead to 2018-2019 flu season

  • FDA advisory committee meeting March 1, 2018. to select strains, WHO recommendations
  • Apply learnings from this flu season

READ


Capture.JPGDuodenoscope surveillance sampling and culturing

Duodenoscopes used to treat patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ECRP)

  • Life-saving, least invasive way treating cancerous tumors, gallstones
  • > 500,000 ERCPs performed each year in US
  • Scopes are reused; if not thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, high risk of patient-to-patient infection.

FDA, CDC and ASM announced availability of voluntary, standardized duodenoscope surveillance sampling, culturing protocols

  • For hospitals and health care facilities
  • To further reduce risk of infection and increase safety of these medical devices

READ


Image credit: FDA, CDC

 

Scroll to Top