Plus Therapeutics Gets FDA Orphan Drug Status for Obisbemeda in Lung Cancer
Plus Therapeutics, Inc. announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to Rhenium (186Re) Obisbemeda for the treatment of leptomeningeal metastases (LM) in patients with lung cancer.
“Receiving Orphan Drug Designation for Rhenium (186Re) Obisbemeda marks a significant milestone in our efforts to develop a much-needed therapy for lung cancer patients with leptomeningeal metastases,” said Mike Rosol, Ph.D., Plus Therapeutics Chief Development Officer. “These patients currently have limited treatment options, and the growing incidence of LM in lung cancer underscores the urgency for new therapies. This designation, in combination with our previously granted Fast Track designation, strengthens our pathway toward delivering an innovative, targeted radiotherapeutic solution for this highly underserved patient population.”
The FDA grants ODD status to an investigational drug or biologic intended to prevent, diagnose, or treat a rare disease or condition affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. ODD provides certain benefits to drug developers, including seven potential years of market exclusivity, tax credits for qualified clinical trials, and exemptions from significant regulatory fees, including the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) charge of $4.3 million in 2025 and the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) requirements.
This milestone follows the recent completion of the ReSPECT-LM Phase 1 single-dose trial, which established the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). The Company is now advancing a Phase 2 single-dose expansion trial and a Phase 1 multiple-dose trial while actively engaging the FDA to define the optimal pivotal trial strategy.
