Alimera Sciences Gets Complete Response Letter For Iluvien - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Alimera Sciences Inc. (ALIM) announced Friday that it has received a Complete Response Letter or CRL for the New Drug Application or NDA for Iluvien from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or FDA. The FDA stated that the NDA could not be approved in its present form, identifying concerns regarding the benefit to risk and safety profiles of Iluvien.

The FDA indicated that, to address the clinical and statistical deficiencies identified, results from a new clinical trial would need to be submitted, together with at least 12 months of follow-up for all enrolled patients.

The FDA suggested that a meeting with the Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee may be of assistance in addressing the deficiencies identified above and providing advice whether a patient population can be identified in which the benefits of the drug product might outweigh the risks.

In a separate written communication from the staff of the FDA, Alimera was notified that an Advisory Committee meeting would be convened on January 27, 2014.

In the CRL, the FDA also referenced deficiencies at the facility where ILUVIEN is manufactured. Alimera does not believe that these deficiencies will affect its European commercial supply.

"The FDA's decision not to approve ILUVIEN at this time is disappointing not only to us, but also to retinal specialists and DME patients in the U.S., but we will continue to work with the FDA, through the advisory committee, to determine whether there is a path forward in the U.S. for ILUVIEN," said Dan Myers, president and chief executive officer of Alimera.