Regulatory Framework for Academic Investigator-Sponsored Investigational New Drug Development of Cell and Gene Therapies in the USA

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Anindya Dasgupta, Emory University; Kristen Herzegh, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; H Trent Spencer, Emory University; Christopher Doering, Emory University; Eric Day, Expression Manufacturing LLC; William P Swaney, Expression Manufacturing LLC
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-12-01
• Publisher: Springer Nature
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40778-021-00196-4
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Current Stem Cell Reports
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 129
• End Page: 139
• Keywords: FDA; IND; Regulatory; Cell and gene therapy
• Research Categories: Biology, Cell

Abstract

Purpose of Review: The promise of cell and gene therapy (CGT) products for a multitude of diseases has revitalized investigators to advance novel CGT product candidates to first-in-human trials by pursuing the investigational new drug (IND) mechanism administered by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This review is intended to familiarize academic investigators with the IND governing regulations set forth by the FDA. Recent Findings: CGT products are extraordinarily complex biologics and, therefore, early-stage evaluation programs must be customized to satisfactorily address their unique developmental challenges. The US FDA continues to foster the development of transformational technology that will facilitate the broad application of safe and effective gene therapy products that have the potential to alleviate many conditions previously out of reach of therapeutic intervention. FDA is committed to working with the scientific community and industry to facilitate the availability of these treatments to patients. Summary: The pathway to meet regulatory compliance during early stage IND programs can be daunting to academic investigators interested in CGT product development that typically don’t progress beyond phase 1/2. However, by keeping abreast of current regulatory framework and building upon FDA’s supportive infrastructure, an investigator can be well-positioned to advance innovative scientific discoveries towards early stage clinical assessments.