CardioExchange Archive

November 24th, 2014

European Review Confirms Increased Risk with Ivabradine

Larry Husten, PHD

Following a review provoked by troubling findings that emerged from a large clinical trial, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is making several recommendations intended to lower the risk of heart problems linked to the heart-rate-lowering drug ivabradine. The drug is marketed by Servier in Europe under the brand names of Corlentor and Procoralan and is indicated for […]

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May 21st, 2013

European Medicines Agency Starts Review of Combined Use of Drugs that Block the Renin-Angiotensin System

Larry Husten, PHD

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said last week that it was initiating a review of the combined use of agents that block the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The three classes of RAS-blocking drugs (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and direct renin inhibitors) are used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. The EMA said that the review was being performed to […]

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March 22nd, 2013

Europe and U.S. Diverge on Two New Drugs

Larry Husten, PHD

The U.S. FDA and Europe’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) have taken opposite views of two important and controversial new cardiovascular drugs. Although earlier this month the FDA rejected — for the second time — an ACS indication for the oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban (Xarelto), CHMP announced today that it had adopted a positive opinion for the […]

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December 14th, 2012

CHMP Recommends Against Approval for Mipomersen in Europe

Larry Husten, PHD

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency today recommended that mipomersen (Kynamro; Isis and Genzyme) not be approved for use in Europe. The novel antisense oligonucleotide works by inhibiting the synthesis of apolipoprotein-B and is under development in the United States and Europe for the treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia. CHMP […]

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September 23rd, 2010

FDA and EMA Split on Fate of Avandia

Larry Husten, PHD

The FDA and the European Medicines Agency announced separate and divergent decisions on the fate of rosiglitazone (Avandia) today. On the one hand, the FDA announced that it would allow rosiglitazone to remain on the market, though only with severe restrictions on its use. Additionally, the FDA said it would require the drug’s manufacturer “to convene […]

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