FDA grants accelerated approval to avutometinib + defactinib for KRAS-mutated recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer

CBER Director Vinay Prasad sidelined staff to jettison Moderna’s mRNA flu shot

In the latest episode of Vinay Prasad’s extraordinary adventures at FDA, the agency (i.e. Dr. Prasad himself) has issued a Refusal-to-File letter to an mRNA-based influenza vaccine application.

February 13, 2026

Vol.52 No.06

By Claire Marie Porter

Cancer Policy

FDA approves labeling changes to menopausal hormone therapy products

FDA has approved drug labeling changes to six menopausal hormone therapy products, also known as hormone replacement therapy.

February 13, 2026

Vol.52 No.06

By Claire Marie Porter

Drugs & Targets

FDA approves pembrolizumab with paclitaxel for platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma

FDA approved pembrolizumab, as well as pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph in combination with paclitaxel, with or without bevacizumab, for adult patients with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS≥1) as determined by an FDA-authorized test, and who have received one or two prior systemic treatment regimens.

February 13, 2026

Vol.52 No.06

Drugs & Targets

FDA approves companion diagnostic for pembrolizumab for ovarian cancer

FDA has approved PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx, Code SK006m as the only FDA-approved companion diagnostic indicated to aid in identifying first-line patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma, whose tumors express PD-L1 and who may be eligible for treatment with Keytruda (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy.

February 13, 2026

Vol.52 No.06

Cancer Policy

“Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans” no longer classified as clinical trials at NIH in an effort to reduce administrative burden

NIH announced Jan. 29 that “Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans,” also called BESH, will no longer be considered clinical trials and will therefore no longer be subject to the requirements under the NIH definition of a clinical trial, including registration and reporting requirements in ClinicalTrials.gov.

February 06, 2026

Vol.52 No.05

By Jacquelyn Cobb