Scotland’s health technology assessment body has granted routine reimbursement to Novartis’ vision loss drug Luxturna after an interim funding period via its ultra-orphan pathway, while Chiesi’s Filsuvez is set to begin its journey on the same pathway.

In a major boost for the UK biotech sector, an impressive sum has been raised by Beacon Therapeutics to support its R&D activities in ophthalmic gene therapies.

Companies should talk to FDA staff in between formal meetings if they need clarity on agency advice that is several years old or development programs hit a snag, Office of Therapeutic Products Director Nicole Verdun says.

Guest speaker Professor Guangzuo Luo joins Brian Yang and Dexter Yang to discuss orphan drug development and going global trends for Chinese bioventures, along with the latest business moves from Shanghai Fosun and Jiangsu Hengrui.