Regulatory Updates

Regulatory Updates are now included in our monthly newsletter.

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Previous Updates are available below.

DATEREGiONDOCUMENTDESCRIPTION OF CHANGELINK
April 2022EMAEMA has published guidance on managing the impact of the War in Ukraine on clinical trials: Advice to sponsors on managing the impact of the war in Ukraine on clinical trials | European Medicines Agency (europa.eu)Link
April 2022FDAMaster Protocols: Efficient Clinical Trial Design Strategies to Expedite Development of Oncology
Drugs and Biologics
FDA has finalised its guidance on Master Protocols for oncologyLink
April 2022FDAThe FDA forms 1571 and 1572 expired on 31 March 2022, they have been approved without change and with a new expiry date of 31 March 2025. You can get the full Notice of Action via the linkLink
May 2022EMAEudraLex – Volume 10 – Clinical trials guidelinesEMA has also finalised the updated guidance documents on GCP Inspections in Eudralex Vol 10 chapter IVLink
May 2022FDAELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF IND SAFETY REPORTS
TECHNICAL CONFORMANCE GUIDE
FDA has also updated its tech guidance on electronic submission of IND safety reportsLink
May 2022FDADiversity Plans to Improve Enrollment of Participants from Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Populations in Clinical Trials Guidance for IndustryFDA has also published draft guidance on diversity plans for clinical trialsLink
June 2022EMAComplex clinical trials – Questions and answersEMA . CTFG Q&A on complex clinical trials Link
June 2022EMAAnnual Report of the Good Clinical Practice Inspectors’
Working Group 2020
EMA publishes Annual Report of the Good Clinical Practice Inspectors’ Working Group 2020.Link
June 2022EMAEMA Q&A on Clinical Trials Regulation updated in May 2022Link
July 2022EMAEMA has launched a pilot project evaluating analysis of raw data from clinical trials and the impact on Marketing Authorisation Application assessmentLink
July 2022FDAPatient-Focused Drug Development: Selecting, Developing, or Modifying Fit-forPurpose Clinical Outcome AssessmentsFDA has published another draft guidance on Patient-Focused Drug Development: Selecting, Developing, or Modifying Fit-for-Purpose Clinical Outcome AssessmentsLink
July 2022FDAAssessing the Effects of Food on Drugs in INDs and NDAs — Clinical Pharmacology Considerations FDA has published guidanceLink
Sept & Oct 2022MHRAGUIDANCE FOR FORMULATING RESPONSES TO GCP INSPECTION FINDINGS MHRA has updated its guidance on CAPAs and responding to inspection findings Microsoft Word – Change is to refer to the Inspection report template and provide an example of an acceptable response.Link
Sept & Oct 2022MHRAIncreasing the efficiency of your clinical trial authorisation (CTA) application and reducing the need for subsequent substantial amendmentsMHRA has published a Blog post on improving efficiency of CTA applications including advice on streamlining the process, avoiding common mistakes and reducing the need for amendments.Link
Sept & Oct 2022MHRAGuidance on pharmacovigilance procedures“The guidance on Pharmacovigilance Procedures has been updated to include further details on submission requirements for the MHRA, in particular relating to signals, Risk Management Plans (RMPs) and Post Authorisation Safety Studies (PASS). The section on Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs) has been updated with new requirements for submission of PSURs for products authorised in Northern Ireland. Additional sections have included on MHRA Safety Reviews and Safety Communications.”Link
Sept & Oct 2022EMAHigh-quality data to empower data-driven medicines regulation in the European Union EMA and the Heads of Medicines Agencies have jointly published two documents on Data Quality for Medicines. These are open for public consultation until mid November and will be finalised next year. They will address quality criteria for data and also use of real world metadata.Link
Sept & Oct 2022FDAAdvancing Real-World Evidence ProgramFDA has an initiative to help organisations to use real world evidence. “ The Advancing RWE Program provides sponsors who are selected into the Program the opportunity to meet with Agency staff—before protocol development or study initiation—to discuss the use of RWE in medical product development. The Advancing RWE Program is an optional pathway for sponsors submitting RWE proposals; established procedures to engage with the Agency will continue to be available.”. This will begin in 2023.Link
Sept & Oct 2022FDAFDA has published final guidance on multiple endpoints in clinical trials. It’s intended to provide additional detail to supplement ICH E9 onLink
December 2022ICHTranscelerate has published a set of resources to support implementation of ICH E8(R1)Link
December 2022MHRAMHRA blog post clarifying the terms and the requirements for a temporary halt Link
December 2022FDANew FDA proposed regulation on the DSUR – will replace the current requirements for an annual IND safety report with the DSUR as per ICH E2F Link
December 2022EFGCPeConsent InitiativeEFGCP has launched an initiative to support eConsent Link
January 2023EMARECOMMENDATION PAPER ON DECENTRALISED ELEMENTS IN CLINICAL TRIALSRecommendation paper on decentralised elements of clinical trials which was adopted by ACT on 13 Dec 2022. Oversight; Consent; IMP at home; Trial procedures at home; Data collection, management and source; Monitoring Link
January 2023EMAGuideline on the responsibilities of the sponsor with
regard to handling and shipping of investigational
medicinal products for human use in accordance with
Good Clinical Practice and Good Manufacturing Practice
2 step batch release including unblinding information; Shipping and control of transport and transit conditions; Site to site transfer; Contracts/Technical Agreements. Guideline on sponsor responsibilities for handling and shipping of IMP – came into effect 1 January 2023: Link
January 2023EMAEudralex Vol 10 chapter 5: Q&A documentUpdate Q&A document:
New statements in Sponsor Responsibilities to confirm that all documents relating to a transitioning trial were previously approved; updates to sections on GCLP, patient facing documents, Use of licensed IMP, transitioning single country and multinational clinical trials to the CTD.
Link
January 2023EMAUpdated Q&A in EMA GCP Compliance section: GCP Matters Q17. This covers Sponsor Oversight including measures to be taken, documentation of oversight and issue management procedures.Link
January 2023MHRAGood clinical practice for clinical trialsMHRA has also updated the pre-inspection documentation materials, Inspection Dossier Template, Clinical Trial Spreadsheet and Checklist. Link
January 2023FDADraft guidance on Considerations for the Design and Conduct of Externally Controlled Trials for Drug and Biological ProductsThis covers use of Real World Data and historical and concurrent external control arms. It talks about considerations for design, data and analysis.Link
February 2023MHRACompleted Paediatric Studies – submission, processing and assessmentMHRA has published guidance on the submission of completed paediatric studies Link
February 2023EMAClinical Trials Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 in practice EMA has published a quick guide to implementation of the Clinical Trials Regulation 536/2014 Link
February 2023EMAEudraLex – Volume 10 – Clinical trials guidelinesThe guidance on Serious Breaches is now available in Eudralex Vol 10 Chapter V and there is also a standard form which is titled “Appendix IIIb – Information to be submitted with a notification of a serious breach” Link
February 2023EMAQ&A on the protection of commercially confidential
information and personal data while using CTIS
EMA has published a Q&A document on protection of commercially sensitive information when using CTIS Link
February 2023MHRAAnnouncementthe UK government has announced that there is to be an independent review into the UK commercial clinical trials landscape. Commercial trials have declined in recent yearsLink
February 2023MHRABlog postMHRA has published a blog post on manufacture of Investigational Medicinal Products. There is some guidance provided on manufacturing vs reconstitution and then a Q&A section.Link
7 March 2023EMAGuidance on computerised systems and electronic recordsAs you would expect it covers data integrity (ALCOA++), validation, data protection, security and much more.Link
21 March 2023MHRAResponse to the public consultation regarding proposals for updates to UK Clinical Trials Legislation.MHRA published their response to the public consultation which ran in 2021-22 regarding their proposals for updates to UK Clinical Trials Legislation. They outline the changes they will be taking forward into new laws and the next step is for them to draft the new legislation.Link
12 February 2023MHRAInspection metrics report for 2019-2020As in previous years Pharmacovigilance features highly in critical findings and particularly issues with use of Reference Safety Information.Link
March 2023FDADraft Q&A document on Electronic Systems, Records and Signatures in Clinical TrialsLink
24 March 2023FDADraft guidance aimed at improving clinical trial design for oncology studies to support accelerated approvalLink
March 2023FDABIMO inspection report 2022One thing which comes up quite a bit in the common findings is failure to maintain adequate records.Link
30 March 2023EMA IWGEMA GCP IWG points to consider regarding the management of ongoing clinical trials impacted by political conflicts, natural disasters or other major disruptionsThis document provides advice based on recent experience during Covid and the war in UkraineLink
April 2023FDADraft Guidance: Patient-Focused Drug Development: Incorporating Clinical Outcome Assessments into Endpoints for Regulatory Decision makingTechnical guidance on choice and justification for COA, and interpretation of resultsLink
April 2023FDAFinal Guidance: A Risk-Based Approach to Monitoring of Clinical Investigations Questions and AnswersThis document builds on the previous guidance document on Risk Based Monitoring, and provides additional guidance on the monitoring approach and plan.Link
11 April 2023EMAUpdated CTIS Sponsor Handbook– Recording sites locally in CTIS (section 2.2.2) new; – CTIS Bitesize Talks links new; – Multi-factor authorisation in CTIS (section 2.1.1) new; – Multiple Q&A reference links added (section 10.6) updated – Glossary (section 12) updatedLink
20 April 2023InternationalCIOMS Glossary of ICH Terms and DefinitionsThis is the 3rd version of this consolidated glossary covering all 4 work areas of ICHLink
May 2023FDADecentralised Clinical Trials for drug products, biologicals and devicesDraft guidance on Decentralised Clinical Trials for drug products, biologicals and devices – FDA’s recommendations on various aspects of running DCTsLink
19 May 2023ICHE6(R3) Step 2 draftICH GCP update has now reached step 2 for public consultationLink
26 May 2023UKO’Shaughnessy report into commercial clinical trialsResults of an independent review and containing recommendations to improved the commercial clinical trial landscape in the UKLink
26 May 2023UKGovernment response to O-Shaughnessy reportUK government response to recommendationsLink
26 May 2023UKHRA response to O-Shaughnessy reportHRA response to findings and recommendationsLink
May 2023FDAPaediatric drug developmentFDA has published two draft guidance documents on Paediatric drug development: revisions of the Regulatory Considerations guidance and the Scientific considerations guidanceLinks
June 2023EMAThree new Q&As: D3 Remote access to identifiable personal and health dataEMA has added 3 new questions to the GCP Considerations Q&A Page B11 covers vendors conducting services for investigators.
B18 covers use of productivity apps in clinical trials, D3 covers requirements if remote access to records is needed.
Link
July 2023EMACTIS and personal data protectionEMA has updated this interim guidance documentLink
July 2023ICHReflection paper on RWEICH has issued for consultation this paper on terminology and principles for use of Real World EvidenceLink
10 July 2023EMAGuidance on data protection while using CTISGuidance for sponsors on how to handle personal and commercially confidential information Link
19 July 2023EMAGuidance on Transition of CTs from CTD to CTRGuidance for sponsors Link
26 July 2023EMAQ&A’s on EMAs policy (0070) regarding publication of clinical dataUpdate on restarting this process which was halted due to Covid. Publication restarted in Sept and this document provides guidanceLink
August 2023FDAGuidance on Informed ConsentUpdated guidance on process and requirements for informed consentLink
August 2023EMANew Q&A on updated IBs and ICFsGuidance on distribution of new documents to investigational sitesLink
August 2023FDAGuidance on use of RWD/RWE in Regulatory decision making for Drugs and BiologicsFinalised guidance now availableLink
Sept 2023FDAConsiderations for the conduct of clinical trials of medical Products during emergenciesGuidance from FDA about how to manage disruptions to clinical trials due to emergency situationsLink
Sept 2023FDAIRB review of individual patient expanded accessFDA recommendations on procedures and factors to considerLink
29 Sept 2023MHRAUK wide labellingNew guidance on labelling for the UK including Northern IrelandLink
29 Sept 2023MHRAUK Wide licensingNew guidance on applications for UK wide Product Licence including Northern IrelandLink
October 2023EMARevised transparency rules for CTISNew guidance and rules on clinical trials transparency – deferral system removedLink
3 Oct 2023MHRAInternational Recognition ProcedureNew provision for MAA approval taking into consideration approvals from specified Reference Regulators Link
12 October 2023MHRANotification Scheme for lower risk Clinical TrialsNew notification scheme – 14 day approval for lower risk trialsLink
November 2023MHRACommon issues with CTA applicationsMHRA updated its page on Common issues with CTA applications. It’s been updated with a link to CTFG guidance on contraception and pregnancy testing in clinical trials.Link
November 2023UKResponse to the O-Shaughnessy reviewThe UK government updated its response to the O-Shaughnessy review. This page provides information on the original response from May 2023 and progress on implementation since then. It also discusses next steps for the implementation of the recommendations in Lord O’Shaughnessy’s report.Link
November 2023HRANew requirements for information for participantsHRA in the UK finalised new requirements for information for participants. They have published new standards for information to be given to people asked to participate in research. There is a Quality Standards document and a Design and Review Principles one. These requirements will be mandatory for all submissions from 1st December!, Links
November 2023FDAGuidance documents providing technical specifications for submitted specific kinds of dataFDA published two new guidance documents providing technical specifications for submitted specific kinds of data:
1) Submitting Clinical Trial Datasets and Documentation for Clinical Outcome Assessments Using Item Response Theory
2) Submitting Patient Reported Outcome Data in Cancer Clinical Trials 1
2
December 2023FDAGuidance for Industry, Investigators and Other Stakeholders: Digital Health Technologies for Remote Data Acquisition in Clinical InvestigationsThis guidance provides recommendations on the use of digital health technologies (DHTs) to acquire data remotely from participants in clinical investigations that evaluate medical products. Use of DHTs as recommended in this guidance may improve the efficiency of clinical trials for sponsors, investigators, and other stakeholders and may increase the opportunities for individuals to participate in research and make participation more convenient.Guidance for Industry
December 2023FDAGuidance for Industry: Data Standards for Drug and Biological Product Submissions Containing Real-World DataFDA has created a framework for a program to evaluate the potential use of real-world data (RWD), to generate RWE to assist with the support the approval of new indication(s) for drugs already approved under section 505(c) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 355(c)); or to help support or satisfy post-approval study requirements (RWE Program). This guidance supersedes the guidance for industry entitled Draft Guidance for Industry: Data Standards for Drug and Biological Product Submissions Containing Real-World Data, Oct-2021 (IDRAC 337234). Access the guidance here.
December 2023FDADraft Guidance for Industry: Master Protocols for Drug and Biological Product DevelopmentThis guidance document provides recommendations on the design and analysis of trials conducted under a master protocol as well as guidance on the submission of documentation to support regulatory review.Download it here.
January 2024EMAEMA Inspections: Questions and Answers on Good Clinical Practice (GCP)This document provides a list of questions and answers on the various GCP topics. It has been updated to update question 19 “What are the expectations for distribution of updated Investigator’s Brochures (IBs) and updated Informed Consent Forms (ICFs) to clinical sites/ investigators?” to add the reference legal framework the sponsors should refer to for the start of the use of the new Reference Safety Information (RSI). This document supersedes the previous version dated Aug-2023.
February 2024INTERNATIONALDeclaration of HelsinkiThe World Medical Association has proposed updates to the Declaration of Helsinki (which covers ethical requirements for all medical research using human participants). This has been subject to public consultation which closed on Feb 7th.See the proposal here.
February 2024FDADraft Guidance For Industry : Use of Data Monitoring Committees in Clinical TrialsThis guidance provides recommendations to help sponsors of clinical trials determine when a data monitoring committee (DMC) (also known as a data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) or a data and safety monitoring committee (DSMC) or an independent data monitoring committee (IDMC)) would be useful for trial monitoring and what procedures and practices should be considered to guide their operation. Download the document here.
February 2024FDACDER BIMO Metrics report for 2023This is the summary of findings from FDA inspections during 2023Link
March 2024EMASponsor Quick Guide to CTR And Q&A Document on CTRBoth documents have been updated: e.g.transparency of information, notification of out-of-spec admin on ATMPs, updates to PV examples, Updates to Annexes in Q&A document.Document 1
March 2024EMASponsor Quick Guide to CTR And Q&A Document on CTRDocument 2
March 2024EMAGuidance for the Transition of Clinical Trials from the Clinical Trials Directive to the Clinical Trials Regulation.Clarification and updates to guidance for sponsors.Download the guidance here.
March 2024EMAGuidance on Auxiliary Medicinal ProductsThis guidance has been updated with some clarifications on classification and applicability and an additional flowchart on labelling requirements for AxMPsLinkLink
March 2024FDADraft Guidance: Key Information and Facilitating Understanding in Informed Consent Guidance for Sponsors, Investigators, and Institutional Review Boards,Guidance on the content, organisation and presentation of Information for Participants with the aim of making sure participants can understand the information presented.Link
April 2024FDAProviding Regulatory Submissions in Electronic Format: IND Safety Reports Guidance for IndustryNew Guidance Document for electronic reporting of SUSARs.Link
April 2024FDAGuidance for Bioavailability and Bioequvalence studies (BA/BE):There are new guidance documents in this area.Electronic submission of IND Safety Reports from IND exempt BA/BE studies (final)
Data Integrity (draft)
Handling and Retention of samples (draft)
March 2024FDATechnical Specifications Document: Study Data Technical Conformance Guide (Version 5.7)This Study Data Technical Conformance Guide provides specifications, recommendations, and general considerations on how to submit standardized study data using FDA-supported data standards.Link
April 2024FDADraft Guidance: Real World Evidence: Considerations regarding non-interventional studiesThis covers Design, Data Sources and Analytical Approach.Link
April 2024MHRAMHRA Guidance: The Target Development Profile ToolkitThis document was revised on 5th April to incorporate the changes highlighted below:

The following sections were deleted:
– sections “Adaptive Inspections”
– “Certifications “Enhanced patient engagement
– “Novel methodology and innovative clinical trial design
– design “Rapid Clinical Trial Dossier Pre-Assessment” and
– “Forthcoming tools.”

The email ID enquiries@cprd.com in the section “Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Assisted Patient Recruitment” was updated.

“Safe harbour engagement meetings” was replaced with “NICE Advice” in the section “How it works.”
Link
April 2024FDAProviding Regulatory Submissions in Electronic Format: IND Safety Reports Guidance for Industry, April 2024 There is a new Guidance Document for electronic reporting of IND Safety Reports, which will be effective from April 2026.Link
April 2024FDADraft Guidance for Industry, IRBs, and Clinical Investigators: Cancer Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria: Performance Status; Washout periods and Concomitant medications; Laboratory ValuesThese are in a series of guidances that provide recommendations regarding eligibility criteria for clinical trials of investigational drugs regulated by CDER and CBER for the treatment of cancer. Aim is to improve diversity in oncology clinical trials.Document 1
Document 2
Document 3
April 2024FDAAnnouncementThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published this notice to announce the establishment of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Center for Clinical Trial Innovation (C3TI).

C3TI aims to be a central hub within CDER that supports innovative approaches to clinical trials that are designed to improve the quality and efficiency of drug development and regulatory decision making.
Link
April 2024EMAEMA/CHMP/150527/2024: Reflection Paper on Use of Real-World Data in Non-Interventional Studies to Generate Real-World EvidenceThis Draft document provides guidance on the use of real-world data in non-interventional studies to generate real-world evidence and is open for public consultation until 31 August.Link
May 2024EMAGuidance for the Transition of Clinical Trials from the Clinical Trials Directive to the Clinical Trials Regulation, Version 4, May-2024This revised document of the European Commission provides Guidance for the Transition of clinical trials from the Clinical Trials Directive to the Clinical Trials Regulation.

The following changes have been made:

• New section 4.
• New Annex II.
• Clarification of consequences of non-compliance with transition requirements, as well as on the interface with medical devices and in vitro diagnostics, and active sites.
• Minor amendments to elements related to the CTIS transparency rules.
• Addition of information on EE and EL in Annex I.
• Sections 1, 6, 9 and 10 have been updated.
Link to the full document
May 2024InternationalICH Guideline Topic M12 Step 4: Drug Interaction Studies, plus a Q&A document.This guideline provides recommendations to promote a consistent approach in designing, conducting, and interpreting enzyme- or transporter-mediated in-vitro and clinical drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies during the development of a therapeutic product.

This is the final version of this guideline.
Link to the updated document
Link to the Q&A document