Pharma Industry News
Printable Version   Email to a friend

CELSION Provides Update on Status of Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) Submission

COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 5, 2007 - CELSION CORPORATION (AMEX:CLN) today is providing an update to its SPA application for Primary Liver Cancer.

Celsion Corporation has received comments this morning from the FDA regarding its September request for a special clinical protocol assessment for its study, "A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Dummy-Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of ThermoDox in Combination with Radiofrequency Ablation Compared to RFA-Alone in the Treatment of Non-Resectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma." The comments from the FDA requested clarifications and recommendations to the study protocol and monitoring. On initial review, Celsion expects to satisfactorily address all of FDA comments and re-submit the protocol for formal special protocol assessment promptly.

"While we are disappointed that another review will be required", commented Michael H. Tardugno, president and chief executive officer of Celsion, "We recognize that the approval mechanism is iterative in nature. We believe the response made by FDA to our submission should not require any significant revisions to the study design. We will continue to work collaboratively with FDA with the intent of starting our study early next year."

The Company expects to discuss FDA's comments and its plans going forward during its third quarter conference call. The Company expects to announce the date and time of its conference call later today.

About Thermodox

ThermoDox is Celsion's proprietary heat-sensitive liposomal encapsulation of an approved and frequently used anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin which is used in the treatment of various cancers including breast cancer. Localized mild hyperthermia (39-42 degrees C) releases the entrapped doxorubicin from the liposome. This delivery technology enables high concentrations of doxorubicin to be deposited preferentially in a targeted tumor.

About Celsion:

Celsion is dedicated to the development and commercialization of oncology drugs including tumor-targeting treatments using focused heat energy in combination with heat activated drug delivery systems. Celsion has research, license or commercialization agreements with leading institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, Duke University Medical Center, University of Hong Kong, Cleveland Clinic, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System. Additional information about Celsion Corporation can be found on the Celsion web site at www.celsion.com.

Celsion wishes to inform readers that forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, unforeseen changes in the course of research and development activities and in clinical trials by others; possible acquisitions of other technologies, assets or businesses; possible actions by customers, suppliers, competitors, regulatory authorities; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact

Cameron Associates
Paul G. Henning, 212-554-5462;
phenning@cameronassoc.com

Latest Pharma Industry News...

Pharma Industry News Archive

2008: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug
2007: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2006: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2005: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2004: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2003: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2002: Jan | Apr | May | Jun | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

More News Resources


MedNotes
Latest FDA Drug Alerts
August 14, 2008
Audience: Cardiologists, hospital risk managers [Posted 08/14/2008] Boston Scientific and FDA informed healthcare professionals...
August 12, 2008
Audience: Primary healthcare physicians, internists, other healthcare professionals[Posted 08/12/2008] FDA informed healthcare...
August 12, 2008
Audience: Pain management specialists, risk managers, other healthcare professionals, patients[UPDATED 08/12/2008] Watson...
August 8, 2008
Audience: Oncologists, other healthcare professionals[Posted 07/31/2008] FDA informed healthcare professionals of modifications...
More...
Latest Drug Information Updates

Cleviprex
Cleviprex is an intravenous, ultrashort-acting calcium channel blocker under development for the treatment of severely elevated blood pressure in the hospital setting when oral therapy is not feasible or desirable.

Stavzor
Stavzor is delayed-release valproic acid formulated in the EnteriCare enteric soft gelatin capsule delivery system designed to minimize GI adverse events. Stavzor is indicated for the treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, adjunctive therapy in multiple seizure types (including epilepsy), and prophylaxis of migraine headaches.

Navstel
Navstel is a balanced salt ophthalmic solution for use as an intraocular irrigation during surgical procedures involving perfusion of the eye.

Eovist
Eovist (gadoxetate disodium) is a gadolinium-based contrast agent for intravenous use in T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver to detect and characterize lesions in adults with known or suspected focal liver disease.

Evolence
Evolence is a collagen-based structural dermal filler for the correction of moderate to deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.

Kinrix
Kinrix [Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Adsorbed and Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine] is a combination vaccine for protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio diseases in children.

Durezol
Durezol (difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion) is a topical steroid for the treatment of postoperative ocular inflammation and pain.

PrandiMet
PrandiMet (repaglinide and metformin HCl) is a fixed-dose combination of the fast-acting secretagogue replaglinide (also known as Prandin) and insulin sensitizer, metformin, indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Pentacel
Pentacel is a combination vaccine indicated for active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis and invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in children 6 weeks through 4 years of age.

Trivaris
Trivaris (triamcinolone acetonide) is a glucocorticoid corticosteroid delivered via intravitreal injection for the treatment of sympathetic ophthalmia, temporal arteritis, uveitis, and ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids.

Entereg
Entereg (alvimopan) is a peripherally-acting mu opioid receptor antagonist used to help patients regain gastrointestinal (GI) function earlier following bowel resection surgery.

OraVerse
OraVerse is a dental anesthetic reversal agent that accelerates the return to normal sensation and function following dental procedures.

Aplenzin
Aplenzin is a once-daily formulation of bupropion hydrobromide indicated for the treatment of depression in adults.

Cimzia
Cimzia is a PEGylated anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) biologic therapy for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease in adults.

Relistor
subcutaneous injection for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation

More...