Placeholder Banner

21st Century Cures: BIO Comments on FDA Draft Guidance Qualification Process for Drug Development Tools

Re: Docket No. FDA–2020-D-0529: FDA Draft Guidance, Qualification Process for Drug Development Tools

February 14, 2020

Dear Sir/Madam: 

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) thanks to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) for the opportunity to submit comments regarding the Draft Guidance, Qualification Process for Drug Development Tools.

BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO’s members develop medical products and technologies to treat patients afflicted with serious diseases, to delay the onset of these diseases, or to prevent them in the first place.

BIO commends the Agency for the development of the Draft Guidance on Qualification Process for Drug Development Tools (DDTs) as required by the 21st Century Cures Act. BIO believes that the Draft Guidance provides a useful framework for how new DDTs can be developed and used as well as the process for qualification of such tools, information that will be essential to Sponsors looking to qualify a DDT. BIO has included in this letter several recommendations for FDA’s consideration as the Guidance is finalized including flexibility in timelines, identification of meetings types, detail regarding rescinding or modification of DDTs,  alignment of CDRH regulation, use of external experts, and information on prioritization of review.
 

Download Full Comments Below
BIO letter on Qualification Process for Drug Development Tools
Discover More
On Tuesday, January 3rd, BIO submitted comments in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent draft guidance containing recommendations for sponsors on monitoring growth and evaluating pubertal development in clinical trials which…
BIO and its members appreciate the opportunity to work with FDA to develop and align on approaches that are robust, practical, and expedite patient focused drug development. To further enhance the Guidance, we believe that a few areas would benefit…
On Wednesday, June 22nd, BIO submitted comments on the FDA’s Quality Metrics (QM) Reporting Program. In the comments submitted, BIO stated appreciation for FDA’s intent to support a general shift toward a risk-based approach to regulation by…