FDA delays Kynapid decision pending final review

VANCOUVER, Canada The Food and Drug Administration has delayed its decision on an application for the heart treatment drug Kynapid, according to published reports. The drug manufacturer Cardiome Pharma and its co-development partner Astellas Pharma US said yesterday that the FDA did not provide an action letter by the expected date of Jan. 19.

The application for Kynapid (vernakalant hydrochloride), based on a five-year clinical development program, was submitted in December 2006. In December 2007, the FDA’s cardiovascular and renal drugs advisory committee voted 6-2 in favor of recommending to the FDA that Kynapid be approved for the rapid conversion of acute atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.

“While we look forward to the FDA reaching a decision, we respect their need for additional time to review the Kynapid’s application,” said William Fitzsimmons, senior vice-president for research and development at Astellas.