With the need to incorporate remote ways of working and interacting with study participants, sponsors and contract research organizations (CROs) have turned to technology for critical study activities ranging from patient consent and consultation to site monitoring. A particular instance of increased technology uptake has been in the area of patient-reported outcome (PRO) data collected...
Despite the passage of various legislative initiatives aimed at increasing the frequency and quality of pediatric clinical trials, neonates continue to be treated with medicines that have not been studied or approved in this population.1 Historically, sponsors may have felt that the ethical and logistical challenges limited the opportunities for neonatal research. Our experience has...
With the emergence of the COVID-19 crisis, the scientific and medical communities have been tasked with bringing diagnostic and treatment modalities to patients in an expedited but safe manner. To help address this critical need, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared a number of Emergency Use Authorizations...
Despite advances in technology and our understanding of the genetic and molecular underpinnings of cancer, making a meaningful impact on the survival and quality of life of patients with cancer remains a significant challenge. In fact, a recent review revealed that, among 59 cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based...
Skin contains essential stem cell populations and other cell types that are critical for renewing and maintaining its structural integrity and function.1 Of the many types of skin stem cells that have been identified, epidermal stem cells — primarily keratinocyte stem cells — are recognized to play the key role in tissue repair and skin...
With the passage of the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) of 2003, drug manufacturers were required to submit an initial pediatric study plan (iPSP) prior to commencement of Phase 3 studies (or new drug application [NDA]/biologics license application [BLA] submission in the absence of a Phase 3 study) for studies involving a new active ingredient,...
The Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity (RACE) for Children Act aims to improve and expand treatment options for pediatric cancer patients by mandating that all new adult oncology drugs also be tested in children when the molecular targets are relevant to a particular childhood cancer. Enacted August 18, 2017, as part of the Food...
When it comes to dermatologic conditions, gene therapy is still in its very early stages. However, we are seeing promising potential solutions for some rare genetic dermatology diseases, as well as ongoing research in more common skin conditions. The success of gene-based therapies relies on three critical elements:1 A well-defined disease geneA therapeutic geneAn efficient...
As a regulatory affairs professional advising various stakeholders on the interpretation and implementation of guidance documents from the FDA, I can safely say that the task is challenging in the best of cases. FDA guidance documents have a tendency to be vague and difficult to decode. As experts, we are always debating about what the...
Gene therapy holds the potential of long-term efficacy or even a cure for diseases with an underlying genetic basis, offering hope to patients with currently incurable diseases. The use of gene therapy for dermatologic conditions is attractive for many reasons:1 As the largest organ of the human body, skin is easily accessible for gene deliveryThe...