[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 83 (Monday, April 29, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 18749-18750] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-10484] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 1996 Gene Therapy Conference: Development and Evaluation of Phase I Products and Workshop on Vector Development; Notice of Public Conference AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice of public conference. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public conference entitled ``1996 Gene Therapy Conference: Development and Evaluation of Phase I Products and Workshop on Vector Development.'' The objective of this conference is to educate investigators on the [[Page 18750]] investigational new drug (IND) process, points-to-consider documents, resources available from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to bring gene therapy from the research laboratory to clinical trials, and to conduct a series of workshops on various issues concerning the development, production, and use of viral vectors for gene therapy. FDA believes that the conference will benefit interested parties, including industry, NIH, and FDA, involved in this rapidly advancing and changing field of gene therapy. DATES: The public conference will be held on Thursday and Friday, July 11 and 12, 1996, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Preregistration is requested by June 28, 1996. Registration will be held on both days from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. ADDRESSES: The public conference will be held at NIH, Bldg. 45, Natcher Auditorium, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD. There is no registration fee. For a complete description of the conference, agendas, speakers, and session chairs check the FDA Biologics Home Page at http:// www.fda.gov/cber/cberftp.html. The home page will be updated as the conference gets closer. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regarding information on registration: Margaret Fanning, NCI-FCRDC, P.O. Box B, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, 301-846-5865, or FAX 301-846- 5866. Regarding information on the conference agenda: Bette A. Goldman, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (HFM-500), 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448, 301-594-2860. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Gene therapy is a dynamic and rapidly advancing field of scientific study. The purpose of this conference is twofold. On July 11, 1996, FDA hopes to provide the gene therapy community with an education and understanding of the IND review process. Many academic investigators and researchers involved in the research and development of gene therapies are not familiar with the regulatory process for the review of IND's. This lack of knowledge of the IND process may decrease the efficiency of pre-IND meetings and increase the review burden on FDA staff. In order to address this problem, the conference will include a description of the IND process, the use of ``points-to-consider'' and guideline documents, and resources available from NIH to bring gene therapy from the research laboratory to clinical trials. On July 12, 1996, the conference will serve as an opportunity for FDA to hear concerns, issues, and ideas from the gene therapy community. There will be presentations of the available scientific data from various groups, followed by discussions, in order to improve understanding of scientific issues that are the foundation of regulatory guidelines. Breakout sessions will address the following: Adenoviral vectors, ancillary products, facilities and manufacturing, information on getting started in gene therapy development, retroviral vectors, pharmacology, toxicology, and the development of new vector systems. The information obtained from this conference may assist in the development of future scientific and regulatory policy or guidance. Dated: April 19, 1996. William K. Hubbard, Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination. [FR Doc. 96-10484 Filed 4-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-01-F