FDA adds four tropical diseases to Priority Review voucher program

Compounds for four additional tropical diseases are now eligible to receive Priority Review vouchers upon FDA approval. FDA expanded its list of diseases eligible for the program on Thursday to include Chikungunya, rabies, cryptococcal meningitis and Lassa fever. The vouchers can be used to obtain an expedited review of subsequent products that do not qualify for the pathway, and are sometimes sold by the recipient to fellow biopharma companies (see “Voucher Equilibrium”).

FDA can add diseases to the list if the agency determines the disease lacks a market in developed nations and disproportionately affects marginalized populations...