Acting US FDA Commissioner says it is standard for the Office of Neuroscience to issue broad labels like the one originally granted to Biogen’s new Alzheimer’s drug, but the agency declined to answer follow-up questions on such a policy. Woodcock continued to defend Aduhelm’s accelerated approval but conceded that the process might have been improved in an unusually tense public appearance.

After a searing advisory committee on aducanumab, FDA reviewers undertook an extensive effort to counter or discount the panel’s criticisms, newly released review documents show. Among the unusual moves by the agency was the citation of data from two investigational products, Lilly’s donanemab and Biogen/Eisai’s BAN2401, as evidence in support of aducanumab.

CDER Director Patrizia Cavazzoni raised eyebrows when she stated an intent to remove the ‘emotional overtone’ of committee meetings. The open public hearing may be a place to start.