Almost 15 years after its last update, the Electronic Common Technical Document (eCTD)’s latest version has been finalized and is being rolled out internationally. eCTD v4.0 offers significant advancements in the way that sponsors and regulatory bodies handle submissions, and adapting to these improvements will
A quality electronic Trial Master File (eTMF) is essential to the product development and approval process, as it is the foundation for clinical trial inspections by competent authorities. eTMFs for drug, biologic, and medical device trials should be actively managed as studies progress and should
One of the specialized capabilities in Premier Consulting’s toolbox is coordinating the Active Substance Master File (ASMF) submission process on behalf of sponsors. The ASMF procedure (formerly known as the European Drug Master File [EDMF] procedure) has in recent years become an increasingly utilized instrument
Preparing for regulatory submissions and interactions requires seamless communication and continuity across multiple disciplines. While many consulting companies offer regulatory project management as a capability, Premier Consulting Regulatory Project Managers (PMs) elevate the position by acting a single point of contact for sponsors throughout the
Previously on this blog, we have explored the 2020 Chinese export ban on non-human primates (NHPs) and its consequences on pharmaceutical research. In that same post, we explored potential solutions to keep sponsor programs on track. In response to the NHP shortage and the resulting
On the path to U.S. commercialization, every pharmaceutical product makes a stop at the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Whether that stop becomes a waystation or the end of the line may depend on the degree to which the presenters share the FDA’s understanding of
For developers of new drugs, the Common Technical Document (CTD) is the cornerstone of an Investigational New Drug Application (IND). The CTD is designed to harmonize the submission of data and information to regulatory agencies, reducing the time and resources needed to compile applications for
One of Premier Consulting’s differentiating offerings is the portfolio analysis, a high-level, integrated evaluation of the scientific, medical, regulatory, and commercial viability of each product within a sponsor’s portfolio. Informed by today’s competitive drug development landscape, as well as by the sponsor’s strategic goals and
Not surprisingly, the majority of nonclinical contract research organizations are not in glamorous locations. So arriving at the front door of one at 7:30 on a snowy or rainy morning isn’t likely on anyone’s bucket list. However, the experienced nonclinical scientist understands that no matter
Have you ever wondered about the difference between preclinical and nonclinical studies? While those in scientific fields like pharmaceutical development are accustomed to words with specific, agreed-upon definitions to facilitate communication and minimize misunderstandings, these terms seem to have slipped through the cracks. Their similar meanings often make it
To get a successful return on investment (ROI) for your product, it is essential to establish early in the process: Is there an unmet need for the product? Which attributes will the product need to access the market? Will providers and patients be receptive to
The end of paper submissions looms closer, and requirements for Standardized Study Data go into effect. What does that means for industry? Under section 745A(a) of the FD&C Act, no earlier than 24 months after FDA issued the final guidance on December 2014, “Providing Regulatory
The United States government is making ongoing, concerted efforts to improve the importation process for many products, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices. It’s important to stay on top of the new importation changes and their effect on business. Foreign biotech, device manufacturers, API producers, and
Orphan drugs, defined in the Orphan Drug Act as drugs developed to treat rare diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S., have begun to make their mark for patients and drug companies. As the number of orphan drugs has increased over the
Last week the “Dormant Therapies Act” (DTA), a companion piece to the Modernizing our Drug & Diagnostics Evaluation and Regulatory Network Cures Act (also known as the MODDERN Cures Act of 2013), was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The Act would provide a drug maker
The FDA listing of therapeutic equivalence (TE) ratings can be a murky area for products approved under 505(b)(2) applications. The concept of TE ratings emerged from FDA regulations for generics and revolve around the announcement that the FDA would publish a current listing of all
Until now, if a Sponsor intended to request orphan designation with 7 years of marketing exclusivity for a drug that has already been granted orphan designation, FDA has followed the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), including the condition described in 21CFR §316.34(c): “If a drug
With the tsunami of activities connected with the initial implementation of all the GDUFA requirements, another change made by FDA went largely under the radar. FDA released the draft guidance, “Pre-Launch Activities Importation Requests (PLAIR)”. (CDER July 2013) which describes how an NDA/ANDA applicant may
The goal of drug product development is commercial success. If this statement wasn’t true, how would patients access the life-saving or life-enhancing drugs we are developing? Yet, all too many companies focus just on FDA approval, which in our view should be just a very
The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA; also known as PDUFA V), signed into law on July 9, 2012, contains amendments to the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) that specifically detail the timing of the submission of a Pediatric Study Plan (PSP). In
In this blog post, we will examine a case study that illustrates various factors that should be considered during development. The example is the development of gabapentin enacarbil by XenoPort/GSK for restless leg syndrome. Gabapentin enacarbil is a prodrug of Pfizer’s gabapentin, approved in 1993,
PDUFA V ushered in new industry and FDA commitments. Among these are changes in meeting timelines. A significant change from PDUFA IV is the timeline for Type A meetings. Under PDUFA IV the meeting package was due 30 days in advance of the meeting. Now,
When Premier Consulting was young, products approved under 505j were called “generics” and 505(b)(1) “new drugs.” There was no consensus name for products approved via 505(b)(2). Of course, at the time there had been very few 505(b)(2) products approved. By now, we have seen an
After much delay, FDA just released the new guidance on the stability requirements to file and obtain approval of a generic drug product and API under 505j. The new requirements bring ANDAs closer in line with NDAs and ICH. The new requirements as summarized in
It’s happened in most generic product development programs: A likely looking drug product candidate is selected and the due diligence begins. A review of the Orange Book shows one or more “use code” patents listed for the RLD. A review of the actual patent reveals
How many drug development companies leave it up to the CMO to design or execute their formulation and manufacturing without oversight? Like those who boarded the Titantic 100 years ago, they seem to trust the mantra that their contractor’s work is unsinkable. MAP Pharmaceuticals seemed
A recent editorial (may need subscription) in the New York Times opined that a recent Supreme Court decision – a “bizarre outcome” – “makes it virtually impossible to sue generic manufacturers for failing to provide adequate warning of a prescription drug’s dangers.” The court case the
At Premier Consulting, we believe that the 505(b)(2) drug development pathway is best used when we can improve the safety and/or efficacy of an existing drug product. We see many opportunities to improve clinical effectiveness, but before trying to prove this in a clinical setting
On September 29, 2010 FDA published a Final Rule revising the requirements for safety reporting for INDs and other BE/BA studies. At the same time FDA issued an accompanying draft guidance to assist in interpreting the new rule. The Final Rule, revising 21 CFR §§
As part of the PDUFA V reauthorization discussions, the FDA and industry are talking about better approaches to rare disease drug development and orphan drugs. Public interests and Congress have mandated that the FDA develop new guidances on the required studies needed for NDA approval.
Under the current PDUFA regulations, a small business can request a waiver of the normal review fees for an NDA if it is the first NDA submitted by the small business. The definition of a small business is fewer than 500 employees. In determining the
Most of us know that a BA/BE study of a generic can be done without an IND (the exception, called a Bio-IND, is when the drug being studied is cytotoxic or a radioactive labeled drug). In 505(b)(2) drug development we often are studying the BA/BE
From a technological standpoint, it is understood that the goal of developing 505(b)(2) abuse-deterrent products is to make changes to the API or formulation of a drug that has abuse potential in such a way that it dissuades the abuser from wanting to use the
In any project development program an understanding of the program goal is critical to finding the shortest path to the final result. Generation of a Target Product Profile early in a development program facilitates reaching the goal of a marketed drug product. It provides a
Some define repositioning as the process of examining alternate indications for drugs that have failed in the clinic. Others say that repurposing (with or without the hyphen; re-purposing) is interchangeable with repositioning. When many people think of repositioning drugs, they expect the outcome to be
In the past two months, two appellate courts, the Fifth Circuit and the Eighth Circuit have handed down decisions which essentially state that generic pharmaceutical companies can be sued in state courts for failure-to-warn regarding serious side effects, where the generic companies had conformed their
Under the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) (21 U.S.C. 355c), all new drug applications for a new active ingredient, new indication, new dosage form, new dosing regimen, or new route of administration are required to contain an assessment of the safety and effectiveness of the
Analytical requirements for the NDA submission of an oral solution to the FDA are very similar to those requirements for any new drug product. The analytical methods that are used for the testing of an oral solution at the NDA stage of development should be
Awareness of current FDA standards and those of its various divisions is important when preparing a new submission. A basic premise for a 505(b)(2) submission to the Agency is that the application contains full reports of investigations of safety and effectiveness. However, for 505(b)(2) applications, at least
What would be the regulatory path for an authorized generic, in general? Authorized generics (AG) are prescription drugs that are produced by the NDA holder and marketed under a private label, at generic prices. This circumstance typically presents itself when the NDA holder still has
As readers of this blog will know, a 505(b)(2) application is a US NDA where at least some of the information required for approval comes from studies not conducted by or for the applicant and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of
Can a 505(b)(2) NDA have more than one RLD? In a word, the answer is “yes.” When using the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, sponsors may rely on the agency’s previous findings of safety and/or efficacy of an already approved product which is termed the reference listed
At Premier Consulting, we can help clients evaluate the market potential of their proposed drug product by examining factors that might influence the resulting medical position at the time of product launch. When desired or needed for potential fund-raising, we can also perform a full
Related to the current frantic activity regarding health care in the US, there is a smaller struggle concerning biosimilars that in many ways mirrors the larger health care struggle. Drug products made from small molecules are regulated primarily by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
What do you need to do when you need to change suppliers or manufacturing sites? Among the many choices is a formal FDA comparability protocol. Advance planning can improve the possibility that the FDA accepts your proposed change. One alternative that can streamline the process
The FDA is moving against DESI drugs and DESI producers are wondering if their products are next on the chopping block. Here are a few commonly asked questions about how that will affect DESI producers. Will a 505(b)(2) of a DESI receive exclusivity? Yes, the
Pivotal stability programs that are used to generate stability data for NDA submissions are different than research stability programs used to design the drug product, explore packaging configurations, etc. This is common sense, but we have seen instances of pivotal stability programs that have been
Any meeting with the FDA is critically important to sponsors. We all know that a tremendous amount of time and effort goes into planning for these meetings. But even before this step the decision to ask for a meeting and the contents of the meeting
I was honored to be invited to speak at the FDA-OCRA 12th Annual Educational Conference in Irvine California on June 10, 2009. I was asked to discuss and compare the 505(b)(2) and ANDA Suitability Petition. I thought I should share this topic with the readers
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) heard testimony on May 27 and 28, 2009, regarding the effort to develop a class-wide Risk Evaluation Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for long-acting opioids products that contain fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone or oxymorphone. The public hearing was held to
DESI drugs are a great source for 505(b)(2) development since many will qualify for 5 years data exclusivity. In this post, we will define what they are. Once upon a time…. In 1938 the FD&C Act was established that required that drugs be proven safe
Developing a product with multiple strengths? How do you go about filing multiple strengths in an IND? How and when do you draft one CMC section covering multiple drug strengths for the same dosage form? Long-term drug development goals may include multiple strengths of a
We typically work with small molecules of synthetic origin, but occasionally are retained to work with products that have active ingredients from botanical (plant) sources. Lynn Gold, our VP of CMC provides the following discussion on how to define the starting material for the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API).
Today’s posting stems from a client question. The client’s product candidate is an oral product that requires both single- and multiple dose pharmacokinetic studies. Question: Do companies ever use one pivotal batch for single-dose (SD) study and another batch for the multi-dose (MD) study? What
Two major factors drive clients to consider running trials in foreign countries – cost and recruitment. The question we often get is: can we use the data from such trials in a US submission? The answer is: quite possibly. I won’t address the conduct of
A draft label be included with all NDA submissions. For a 505(b)(2) NDA, where do you get the information for this label? What labeling is required? What is labeling? Well, the “label” is what is on the immediate container of the drug product and can
A 505(b)(2) submission relies on information in the public domain to fulfill some of the information required in an NDA for approval. This information comes from more than the reference drug’s NDA review documents. In fact, for older drugs, the amount of information can be
Under the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) (21 U.S.C. 355c), all applications for new active ingredients, new indications, new dosage forms, new dosing regimens, or new routes of administration are required to contain an assessment of the safety and effectiveness of the product for the
In speaking with sponsors, we often discuss the potential competition to their proposed drug product. In order to have success in the market, the proposed product needs market differentiation. Existing products What other drugs are available for the same therapeutic indication(s)? Why would the medical
Well, freedom from generic competition for a while at least. Generally, most companies’ business plans specify some means to keep the competition at bay until the product can make a profit – when revenues start to exceed investments. There are two ways for 505(b)(2) applications
