CarcinogenicityAcceptedBeyond the letter
No carcinogenicity studies; waiver requested citing lack of meaningful systemic exposure
Why: Local intravitreal treatment of CMV retinitis in AIDS patients with lack of meaningful systemic exposure · Pharmacology or kinetics · Serious disease
“A waiver from performing carcinogenicity studies was requested by the sponsor. The sponsor stated that "lack of meaningful systemic exposure, additional systemic toxicity studies are neither relevant nor useful for assessing the safety profile of this compound".”
“However, due to the fact that fomivirsen is indicated for the local treatment of CMV retinitis in AIDS patients and the dosing schedule stated in the labeling?, the review division would accept the request from the sponsor for a waiver of carcinogenicity studies on fomivirsen.”
Efficacy modelVerdict not stated
No animal model of HCMV infection; antiviral activity shown only in vitro
Why: No animal models of HCMV infection exist · No relevant species
“Due to lack of animal models for HCMV infection, the anti-CMV activity of fomivirsen has been demonstrated in in vitro tissue culture settings.”