The rate at which investigational drugs were accepted onto the European Medicines Agency’s priority medicines scheme dropped in 2021. Meanwhile, more much-needed treatments that had been developed under the scheme went on to win EU marketing approval.

The European Medicines Agency had a busy time at its meeting last week. It gave the green light to 11 products, four of which are for rare diseases including ANCA-associated vasculitis, and to a range of treatments for conditions as diverse as non-small cell lung cancer, smallpox, migraine, COPD, COVID-19 and obesity.

The European Medicines Agency is expected to make recommendations on EU marketing authorization for 10 new medicines at its monthly meeting this week. They include products for non-small cell lung cancer, COVID-19, kidney disease, smallpox and migraine.

The kappa opioid receptor agonist is not listed as a scheduled substance and labeling meets expectations. Cara and partner Vifor plan to launch the product in early 2022.