By Alexandra Maria Chatziioannidou 
Every month, CREATION.co’s tracking updates bring you the latest insights from the conversation of healthcare professionals (HCPs) across the globe discussing product launches. Discover which new drug approvals HCPs are talking about, what they think about them, and which online sources they are using to inform their opinions and conversations in CREATION.co’s latest tracking update.
———
Throughout April 2023 we tracked the global conversations of 1,781 eHCPs who posted 2,572 English-language Twitter posts about the launches and approvals of new products.
In April, several product approvals were discussed online by HCPs. They offered their thoughts on a novel treatment for an alternative combination medications for previously untreated large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
One of the approvals which generated significant conversation among HCPs was the FDA approval of Vowst, as the first oral medication faecal microbiota product to prevent clostridioides difficile recurrence (CDI). HCPs posted positive opinions on this approval marking it as “big news”. HCPs considered this a significant breakthrough, beyond just the infectious disease space, suggesting that the technology may also lead to advancements in the treatment of cancer.
⭐️FDA Approves First Orally Administered Fecal Microbiota Product for the Prevention of Recurrence of Clostridioides difficile Infection https://t.co/NBHOLTS16W
— Vivek Subbiah, MD (@VivekSubbiah) April 26, 2023
⭐️FDA Approves First Orally Administered Fecal Microbiota Product for the Prevention of Recurrence of Clostridioides difficile Infection https://t.co/NBHOLTS16W
— Vivek Subbiah, MD (@VivekSubbiah) April 26, 2023
On 26 March an important FDA Accelerated Approval activated the HCP online conversation. The FDA approved Qalsody (tofersen) for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with a mutation in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene (SOD1-ALS). The medication which is manufactured by Biogen generated excitement from the HCPs quoting “a great moment for the ASL community” and “a tremendous achievement”.
From disappointment to hope☀️- SOD1 gene therapy #tofersen now FDA approved for treatment of ALS associated with its mutation. What a fantastic news! #ALS #SOD1 #FDA #MND ???? https://t.co/k2A7F4t9xa
— Dr Ahmad Al-Khleifat (@AhmadAlKhleifat) April 25, 2023
An auspicious day for #ALS #MND precision medicine with @biogen treatment #tofersen for SOD1 ALS approved by FDA and new @precisionlifeAI study with @AmmarAlChalabi @KingsCollegeLon @mndassoc launched to discover new ALS drug targets…and subgroups most likely to respond ????
— Brian Dickie (@DrBrianDickie) April 25, 2023
Later in the month, the FDA approved Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin-piiq) by Genetech Int. paired with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHP). This combination is indicated for patients who have Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) which have been untreated in the past. It is also indicated for patients with high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) and who have an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score of 2 or greater. HCPs shared their positive views on the approval describing as “landmark decision by the FDA”. HCPs also congratulated their peers behind the science of this drug and the trial, being hopeful for the change and benefits that will bring to the patients.
I’ve been working on this molecule for a decade. A long journey but finally across the finish line. Huge props to Calvin Lee, Jamie Hirata and Wayne Chu, who carried it a long way
FDA Approves Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus R-CHP for Treatment-Naïve DLBCL (https://t.co/vbkskVoYcF)
— Jeff Sharman (@jeff_sharman) April 19, 2023
???? Breaking news ???? #DLBCL #lymsm #Lymphomahttps://t.co/BPzOnZwmkL pic.twitter.com/7FBP5Im18n
— Felipe Peña Muñoz (@HematoRules) April 20, 2023
On April 17th, a modified allogeneic cord blood-based cell therapy, Omisirge (omidubicel-onlv), was approved by the FDA. The medication brought by Gamida Cell is responsible for quickening the recovery of a group of white blood cells called neutrophils which reduce infection risks. The medication is indicated for patients with blood cancers planned for umbilical cord blood transplantation following myeloablative conditioning regimen. HCPs were quick to share the news online, including those who took part in the trial. HCPs were delighted about the first allogeneic cell therapy to be approved and congratulated their peers for their achievement.
Thanks ???? @GamidaCellTx for supporting #cordbloodtx and getting FDA approves Omidubicel. I am happy to participate in the randomized phase 3 study Omidubicel vs standard myeloablative umbilical cord blood transplantation @BloodJournal https://t.co/sGbapAsoXn
— Rabi Hanna (@RabiHannaMD) April 21, 2023
Bold ATMP gets FDA clearance!
Gamida Cell’s allogeneic cord blood-based cell therapy Omisirge (omidubicel-onlv) accelerates the recovery of white blood cells for cancer patients (12d vs 22d in clinical trial) and gets FDA approval.https://t.co/GzOpZYG7em— John De Vos (@_jdevos_) April 19, 2023
In early April, the FDA granted Accelerated Approval to Astellas’ Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in combination with Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab). The medication is indicated for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. HCPs were quick to share the news, expressing their excitement to see how it will perform and described the approval as “huge wins for patients”.
Good New today; April 3, 2023, the FDA granted accelerated approval to enfortumab vedotin-ejfv (Padcev, Astellas ) with pembrolizumab (Keytruda, Merck) for pts with LA or mets urothelial ca who are ineligible for cis-containing chemotherapy.@CharleneMantia @BladderCancerUS
— joaquim bellmunt (@OncoBellmunt) April 3, 2023
???? It’s a Monday approval !!!
FDA grants accelerated approval to enfortumab vedotin-ejfv with pembrolizumab for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma @US_FDA @FDAOncology https://t.co/nF5SODEpZQ— Vivek Subbiah, MD (@VivekSubbiah) April 3, 2023
The three most shared links from HCPs discussing product launches in March were:
- An FDA press release on the approval of Vowst, a faecal microbiota drug for the prevention of recurrence of C. difficile infection.
- An OncLive news article on FDA approval Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus R-CHP for Previously Untreated DLBCL.
- An FDA press release on the accelerated approval to Enfortumab Vedotin-ejfv with Pembrolizumab, for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.
Each month, CREATION.co tracks the HCP conversation relating to new product launches.
You can keep up to date with this and a variety of other topics including virtual congress, healthcare changes since the pandemic, product development and therapy area specific insights within the Tracking section of CREATION Knowledge, or sign up to receive our monthly eJournal with all of our latest HCP insights.
To stay up to date, you can sign up to CREATION.co’s monthly eJournal.
Methodology
- Using CREATION Pinpoint® the English-language Twitter conversations of HCPs globally discussing new pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals between 1 April and 30 April 2023 were analysed in order to discover which new product launches HCPs are discussing as well as #WhatHCPsThink.
- Mentions of drug approvals by the FDA, EMA, NICE, and CHMP were included in the data, as well as mentions of ‘drug approval’ by HCPs in their Twitter conversations.
- Between 1 April and 30 April 2023, there were 2,570 HCP mentions of new pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals from 1,779 unique HCP authors from around the world.
Click here to read the latest product launch tracker
