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FDA’s Shift to One Pivotal Trial for Drug Approval: Regulatory Strategy Implications for Sponsors

In a move that could reshape modern drug development, on February 19, 2026, FDA formally confirmed that one adequate and well-controlled pivotal trial may now serve as the default basis for drug approval, rather than the long-standing expectation of two. The announcement and all accompanying...

Calibration and Verification: Are you using these terms correctly?

No matter where I go I am always amazed at how many times the words calibration and verification are misused. I often hear statements like, “The instrument doesn’t need to be calibrated, the accuracy...

Waivers for Carcinogenicity Studies? Not So Fast!

The recently published request for comments regarding the Proposed Change to Rodent Carcinogenicity Testing of Pharmaceuticals signals intent by regulatory agencies to alter what Sponsors consider in...

Clinical Research Solutions

FDA Releases New Guidance on Meetings with Sponsors of Biosimilars

On March 29, 2013, the FDA made available a draft guidance for Sponsors of biosimilar products outlining the procedures and processes for meetings with the FDA. Although much of guidance for the...

Clinical Research Solutions

Three Key Steps to Conducting a Strong Investigation

Unexpected events often happen in the everyday world. However, in the regulated world great efforts are made to minimize the severity and frequency of unexpected events. Yet, despite best efforts,...

Discover New Issues Concerning Critical Process Cleaning

“Cleaning, how hard can that be,” is the sentiment of those not in the bio/pharmaceutical industry. Even for those within the industry, the general consensus regarding Cleaning and Cleaning...

Regulatory Sciences

Generic Drug User Fee Act (GDUFA) Overview

FDA user fees have been a fact of life for regulated industries for nearly two decades. As you continue to comply by paying the fees, you should understand what the revenue does for you. In this...

Regulatory Sciences

FDA Comments on Proposed Prescription Drug Labeling

Standardized prescription drug labeling was implemented by FDA in 1979. In the following years as labeling became more complex, FDA re-evaluated its usefulness and published a final rule in 2006...

Are Your SOPs "Reference-Crazy"?

While Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) are widely and rightly used to control processes, there is sometimes a tendency within organizations to go “reference crazy”. In a well-meaning attempt to...

5 Steps for Developing and Managing Supplier Quality Programs

With the increased pressures of cost control for manufacturers of FDA-regulated products and the rapid expansion of globalization of the supply chain, the expectations of manufacturers and sponsors...

Medical Information

4 Key Parts to a Complete Product Complaint Handling Program

According to 2012 FDA statistics, drug company’s Product Complaint handling systems (21 CFR 211.198) were cited in 142 Turbo EIR observations for their deficiencies representing almost 4% of all...

What is Blood Plasma?

Blood Plasma, or simply plasma, is the liquid portion of blood. It has a number of vital functions in bleeding and infection control. It contains proteins and antibodies, which are produced by the...

Which Comes First, People or Systems? - Building & Maintaining Regulatory Compliance

Regulations require the pharmaceutical industry to be compliant, have and maintain a quality system, and build quality into the process (quality by design). What does that truly mean and how does the...

The Use of a Target Product Profile Early in Drug Development - A Great Program Management Tool

Let’s face it, drug development is a very long process. It is often hard for scientists in a laboratory to picture their drug actually being manufactured at large scale let alone to imagine it in a...

Project Management - 100% Responsibility and 0% Authority

Project Managers face a unique set of challenges every day. One of those that comes to mind often is how we, as Project Managers, succeed when we have 100% of the responsibility for the project...

Five Most Common Mistakes When Writing an Investigation

The most recent FDA report (FY2010) said the third highest reason a 483, warning letter, or consent decree was issued was because of discrepancies and/or failures in investigations due to inadequate...

What to Expect During the NDA Review Process

Compiling and submitting a New Drug Application (NDA) submission is a complicated and intensive activity. Once you have submitted your application to FDA, you may be curious about what can you expect...

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The End of the FDA's Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program

What’s Next for Rare Disease Innovation? For children suffering from rare and often life-threatening diseases, access to new and effective treatments can mean the difference between life and death....

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Safety Data Exchange Agreements (SDEAs) and Pharmacovigilance Agreements (PVAs) – An Overview

A Safety Data Exchange Agreement (SDEA) or Pharmacovigilance Agreement (PVA) is a legal written contract which ensures that all safety data, PV tasks and responsibilities are detailed between two or...

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FDA's Expedited Programs Explained

In order to incentivize the development of therapies (drugs biologics) to fill unmet medical needs for treatment of serious conditions, the FDA has developed various programs to expedite drug...

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What are Patient Support Programs?

Patient Support Programs (PSPs)  in the pharmaceutical sector offer a range of services to help patients start and adhere to their therapies, including Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), patient...

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Regulatory Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC): What to Expect During Drug Development

The key to successful drug development in the US is directional and focused navigation of FDA’s Investigational New Drug (IND) process. The Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) section is a...