FDA advisers back safety of Grail’s cancer test, narrowly endorses efficacy

Sept 23 (Reuters) A panel of outside experts advising the US FDA backed the safety of Grail s blood-based cancer ​detection test, Galleri, on Wednesday, but ‌was divided on the evidence supporting its effectiveness. While all the 10 panel members unanimously backed Galleri s safety, support for its effectiveness was narrower with a ‌6-4 ​vote in favor. Members ⁠also voted 7-2 that ⁠the test s benefits outweigh its risks, with one abstention. The US Food and Drug Administration is not bound by its panel s ​votes but weighs them heavily when making final decisions. A final decision on ⁠whether Galleri can be ⁠sold nationwide is expected in the ​coming months. Galleri is a blood test that looks ​for signs of cancer in a ‌single blood draw. It is designed for adults aged 50 and older, and can screen for many types of cancer at ⁠once, something no other approved test currently does in the United States. Grail tested the device in two ⁠large studies — ‌one in the US and ⁠another in Britain