US FDA issued at least seven rejections to novel products; opioid analgesic sponsors had very little success, while biosimilar developers had a so-so year.

Ten novel agents are among the pending applications with user fee goal dates in August 2018.

InfaCare’s jaundice drug needs more neurodevelopmental outcome studies, US FDA committee says, but one panelist doubts feasibility of long-term follow-up; talk of additional studies leads to an unusual tongue-lashing from one of InfaCare's experts, who says he was 'stunned' by the committee’s conclusion that efficacy had not been shown.

Uncertainties about clinical benefit and neurodevelopmental safety drive lopsided recommendation against approval; some advisory committee members say that even FDA’s REMS proposal wouldn't be enough to allow stannsoporfin to come to market without further studies.