For example, the Critical Path Institute (Tucson, AZ), a non-profit organization supported by FDA, SRI International, and
the University of Arizona, is launching a Toxocogenomic Cross Validation Consortium that will bring manufacturers together
to validate each other's safety test methods. Separately, FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) and Massachusetts-based
BG Medicine have signed a CRADA for a Liver Toxicology Biomarker Study to identify standard tests for early-stage product
development.
Internally, FDA is surveying its medical officers on what biomarkers have been submitted in applications and accepted as surrogate
endpoints. FDA plans to form a group to develop guidance on biomarkers and to support Critical Path collaborations.
FDA's pharmacogenomics (PG) initiative also provides important information on how industry is using genomic data to identify
drug targets and devise development programs. In March 2005, FDA established a voluntary genomic data submissions process
that encourages pharma and biotech companies to share PG data with the agency outside the normal application review process.
FDA has received 30 submissions for discussion by its PG review group. The European Medicines Evaluation Agency is participating
in some meetings to encourage a common approach to assessing genomic submissions, which may become a topic for review by
the International Conference on Harmonization.
In the near future, FDA hopes to issue a draft guidance on drug-diagnostic co-development that describes how to link a targeted
drug with a test to identify individuals likely to respond to treatment. Diagnostics are crucial to the development of personalized
medicines, but appropriate product development timing is a big concern, along with fear that FDA may require co-development
with certain new therapies.
MODERNIZING MANUFACTURING
Although FDA's campaign to update good manufacturing practices has launched a number of projects in this area over the past
two years, the Critical Path initiative aims to spur further collaboration on innovative manufacturing practices. CDER's Office
of Pharmaceutical Science is establishing a CRADA with Con-formia Software of California to survey the industry on what issues
most affect the selection of drug candidates for commercial manufacturing. In addition, Purdue leads a group of 11 universities
in forming the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology & Education to address manufacturing and scientific issues
that affect variability in product quality.
Although industry and academia have to take the lead in addressing these issues, FDA recognizes the need for a better toolkit
to reduce the amount of uncertainty in the drug approval process. "What we need to do is fundamentally change the dynamic
and to focus therapy on the people who benefit," Woodcock explains.
One sign of progress is finalization of the long-awaited Critical Path Opportunities List of research projects and collaborative
efforts that FDA believes can streamline pre-clinical testing, clinical trial operations, and quality production. CBER's "wish
list" includes a number of investment opportunities to improve biotech R&D:
- Develop well characterized cell banks and assays for adventitious agents
- Develop methods of pathogen inactivation for blood, plasma, and tissues
- Develop multipathogen and rapid detection methodologies
- Improve storage methods for blood and tissues
- Establish assays, standards, and reagents for the flu vaccine.
Woodcock considers the list a "call to action" for industry and academia to work together to reduce the high cost of new drug
development and spur innovation.
Jill Wechsler is BioPharm International's Washington editor,7715 Rocton Avenue, Chevy Chase,MD 20815,301.656.4634,
jwechsler@advanstar.com
.
|
