FDA pilots real-time clinical trials as Amgen, AstraZeneca join proof-of-concept studies; AbbVie eyes KRAS biotech Kestrel

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a pilot program for "real-time" clinical trials, designed to cut the lag between data collection and regulatory review.

AstraZeneca and Amgen have launched two proof-of-concept cancer studies under the new approach, agreeing to send endpoint and safety data to FDA scientists as the information becomes available.

AbbVie secured an option to acquire Kestrel Therapeutics, a startup developing a drug that targets multiple KRAS mutations. The company will fund KST-6051, which has just entered its first human testing phase.

These actions illustrate a broader push within the industry to speed drug development and secure promising oncology assets.