The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declined to approve Capricor Therapeutics' cell therapy for a heart condition, the company said on Friday, sending its shares tumbling 30% in early trading. In its "complete response letter,

In its complete response letter, the FDA cited insufficient evidence establish deramiocel's effectiveness for cardiomyopathy associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The decision comes after CBER Director Vinay Prasad canceled an advisory committee meeting for the therapy.

The company said it was “surprised” by the decision, which followed the ouster of multiple cell and gene therapy officials from the agency during deramiocel’s review.