Acucela Gets FDA Fast Track

Luke Timmerman3/17/10

Acucela and its partner, Japan-based Otsuka Pharmaceutical, said today they have received “Fast Track” designation for an application to market a new drug for the “dry” form of age-related macular degeneration. The designation means that the companies will  be able to file data on their drug,  ACU-4429, as it becomes available, and which makes it possible for the companies to get a faster-than-usual six-month review that is sometimes given to applications to treat serious or life-threatening conditions.

Luke Timmerman is the National Biotech Editor of Xconomy, and the Editor of Xconomy Seattle. E-mail him at ltimmerman@xconomy.com or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ldtimmerman.