FDA request for more Pennsaid data to delay launch

Canada's Nuvo says that the FDA wants to see more data on Pennsaid before it will fully approve the osteoarthritis therapy, but added that the agency doesn't expect a new late-stage trial. Its stock dropped 13 percent on the news as analysts speculated that the FDA may be looking for additional data on elderly patients with a certain skin disorder. One analyst estimated that the agency's request could delay a launch by eight to 12 months. Pennsaid would be the first topical NSAID drug to hit the multi-billion dollar osteoarthritis pain market.

"The matters raised in the approvable letter do not relate to clinical efficacy or clinical safety of Pennsaid as evidenced in Nuvo's phase 3 trials and the FDA has not requested that Nuvo conduct any additional Phase III clinical trials," Nuvo said in a statement. "In order to resolve certain matters raised in the approvable letter, the company may be required to generate additional data before approval."

- see the press release from Nuvo
- here's the report on Nuvo from The Globe & Mail

Related Articles:
Nuvo sees positive Pennsaid data. Report
Nuvo Research resubmits NDA for Pennsaid. Report