FDA and the biotech industry
are converging on expansion of accelerated approval beyond HIV and cancer as
the best way to speed the development of therapies for serious unmet needs, but
whether the agency proceeds on its own - and at its own pace - depends on
whether both sides can agree on legislative approaches to include in PDUFA V.
Janet Woodcock, director of FDA's
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, publicly unveiled her ideas about
expanding accelerated approval in an interview broadcast Jan. 15 on BioCentury
This Week television.