FDA grants orphan status for three drugs

5(S)-(2'-hydroxyethoxy)-20(S)-camptothecin
On June 15, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted orphan drug status to the drug 5(S)-(2'-hydroxyethoxy)-20(S)-camptothecin (made by ClinTec International, Ltd) for the treatment of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.

5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-chromen-4-one
On June 18, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-chromen-4-one (BIO 300, made by Humanetics Corporation) for the treatment of acute radiation syndrome. BIO 300 is being developed as a medical countermeasure for ionizing radiation resulting from a nuclear or radiological attack, act of terrorism or accident.

Autologous cultured endothelial cells on a donor human corneal disk
On June 1, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to autologous cultured endothelial cells on a donor human corneal disk (made by Cellular Bioengineering, Inc) for the treatment of the eye disorders Fuch's dystrophy and bullous keratopathy.