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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...

Regulatory Sciences

Extended Review Timeline for Certain Applications under Proposed PDUFA V

The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) is due to be reauthorized by the end of September this year. Along with the usual increases in fees, the latest version of the act (PDUFA V) includes some...

Regulatory Sciences

Label Changes Related to the QTc Interval

In a recent FDA Drug Safety Communication, the Agency announced that the Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) label now has revised dosing recommendations based on evaluations of post-marketing reports...

Regulatory Sciences

FDA Study Finds Lower Risk of Lung Cancer Among Menthol Smokers

In March 2011, the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee released a report on the impact of menthol on public health. Based on the committee’s review of all available evidence, they...

Cetero FDA Action

If your company has used Cetero Research's Houston facility to conduct bioanalytical studies between April 1, 2005 and June 15, 2010, your marketing applications may need to be repeated or confirmed....

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Regulatory Sciences

GRAS List Substances: Background and Misconceptions

Although it is widely known that the acronym GRAS stands for “Generally Recognized as Safe”, many individuals believe that GRAS substances have been rigorously reviewed for safety and approved for...

Regulatory Sciences

You Do Have a Voice – The FDA Rulemaking Process

Did you know that the FDA Rulemaking Process allows for the public to comment before procedural and scientific requirements go into effect? This is the case for both the debut and amendments to...

Regulatory Sciences

FDA Shelf Life Extension Program (SLEP)

The FDA’s homepage contains an item in the Public Health Focus section from the Office of Communications entitled “Don’t Use Expired Medicine.” Given this mandate, I recall from many years ago the...

Regulatory Sciences

Food and Cosmetic Ingredients that are also Excipients in Drug Products – OGD Policy

In a recent teleconference with senior officials in the Office of Generic Drugs (OGD) at the FDA, it was conveyed that it is the policy of OGD in determining the safety of excipients to rely...

Regulatory Sciences

Innovation vs. Safety: Another Definition for the “Chicken or the Egg"

We all know that the FDA’s mission is to promote and protect public health. However, in their effort to protect the public health, it seems that they may be inadvertently harming the industry that...

Citing the IIG as Evidence of Ingredient Safety Comes with Caveats

It has become common practice in developing drug formulations to consult the FDA's Inactive Ingredient Guide (IIG) to obtain information on "acceptable levels" of excipients used in previously...

Regulatory Sciences

Competition Between Orphan Drug Sponsors – Good for Patients, Strategic Complexities for Sponsors

The regulations developed by the FDA for implementing the Orphan Drug Act contain a number of features that are intended to maximize benefits to the orphan disease patient population, but which pose...

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...