[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 212 (Thursday, October 31, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 56243-56244] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-27992] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES [Docket No. 96D-0344] Guidance for Industry for the Submission of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Information for a Therapeutic Recombinant DNA-Derived Product or a Monoclonal Antibody Product for In Vivo Use; Availability AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a guidance document entitled ``Guidance for Industry for the Submission of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Information for a Therapeutic Recombinant DNA-Derived Product or a Monoclonal Antibody Product for In Vivo Use.'' This guidance document was prepared by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). On May 14, 1996, FDA published a final rule that amended the biologics regulations to eliminate the establishment license application (ELA) for manufacturers of certain products. Instead, a sponsor may submit a biologics license application that includes a chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) section. This guidance document is intended to assist applicants in the preparation of the CMC information for marketing applications for certain specified products, including therapeutic recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-derived products or monoclonal antibody products for in vivo use, as well as those recombinant DNA-derived products regulated using a new drug application submitted to CDER. DATES: Written comments may be submitted at any time, however, to ensure comments are considered for the next revision they should be submitted by January 29, 1997. ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of the guidance document entitled ``Guidance for Industry for the Submission of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Information for a Therapeutic Recombinant DNA-Derived Product or Monoclonal Antibody Product for In Vivo Use'' to the Manufacturers Assistance and Communications Staff (HFM-42), Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist that office in processing your requests. The document may also be obtained by mail or fax by calling the CBER Fax Information System at 1-888-223-7329. Persons with access to Internet may obtain the document in several ways. Users of ``Web Browser'' software, such as Mosaic, Netscape, or Microsoft Internet Explorer may obtain this document via the World Wide Web by using the following Uniform Resource Locators (URL's): http://www.fda.gov/cber/cberftp.html ftp://ftp.fda.gov/CBER/ The document may also be obtained via File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Requestors should connect to the FDA FTP Server, FTP.FDA.GOV (192.73.61.21.). The CBER documents are maintained in a subdirectory called ``CBER'' on the server. Logins with the user name of anonymous are permitted, and the user's e-mail address should be sent as the password. The ``READ.ME'' file in that subdirectory describes the available documents which may be available as an ASCII text file (*.TXT), or a Word Perfect 5.1 or 6.x document (*.w51,wp6), or both. Finally, the document can be obtained by ``bounce-back e-mail.'' A message should be sent to: ``[email protected]''. Submit written comments on the guidance to the Dockets Managements Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857. Requests and comments should be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. A copy of the guidance and received comments are available for public examination in the Dockets Management Branch between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon A. Carayiannis, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (HFM-630), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448, 301-594- 3074. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As outlined in the President's November, 1995, National Performance Review, ``Reinventing the Regulation of Drugs Made from Biotechnology,'' FDA has announced that it will develop a single harmonized application form for all licensed biological products and all drug products. In the Federal Register of May 14, 1996 (61 FR 24227), FDA published a final rule entitled ``Elimination of the Establishment License Application for Specified Biotechnology and Specified Synthetic Biological Products.'' The final rule, also part of FDA's continuing effort to achieve the objectives of the President's ``Reinventing Government'' initiatives, amended the biologics regulations to eliminate ELA for specified biotechnology and specified synthetic biological products, including: Therapeutic DNA plasmid products, therapeutic synthetic peptide products of 40 or fewer amino acids, monoclonal antibody products for in vivo use, and therapeutic recombinant DNA-derived products. Prior to the publication of the final rule, the manufacturers of these biological products were required to submit both a product license application and an ELA to FDA for marketing approval (21 CFR 601.2). Under the final rule, a company may submit information in a single biologics license application for specified biotechnology and specified synthetic biological products to harmonize the approval requirements for specified biotechnology and specified synthetic biological products with similar drug products approved under the new drug provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act). The guidance document announced in this notice is intended to provide assistance to applicants in preparing the CMC section of the harmonized application for a therapeutic [[Page 56244]] recombinant DNA-derived product or a monoclonal antibody product for in vivo use (submission to CBER) or a recombinant DNA-derived product subject to approval under section 505(b) of the act (21 U.S.C. 355(b)) (submission to CDER). The guidance document is divided into seven sections as follows: (1) Introduction; (2) Drug Substance, including discussions of description and characterization, manufacturer(s), method(s) of manufacture, process controls, reference standard, specifications/analytical methods, container/closure system, and drug substance stability; (3) Drug Product, including discussions of composition, specifications and methods for drug product ingredients, manufacturer(s), methods of manufacturing and packaging, specifications and test methods for drug product, container/closure system, microbiology, drug product stability; (4) Investigational Product/ Formulation; (5) Environmental Assessment; (6) Method Validation; and (7) References. As with other procedural guidance documents, FDA does not intend that this guidance document is all-inclusive. Alternative approaches could be warranted in specific situations, and certain aspects might not be applicable in all situations. If an applicant believed the procedures described in this guidance document were inapplicable to a specific situation for a particular product, the applicant could provide, for FDA's consideration, information supporting an alternative process. If an applicant chooses to use alternative processes, the applicant may wish to discuss the matter further with the agency to prevent expenditure of money and resources on activities that later might be determined to be unacceptable by FDA. This document does not bind FDA and does not create or confer any rights, privileges, or benefits on or for any person, but is intended for guidance. Interested persons may submit to Dockets Management Branch (address above) written comments on the guidance document. Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that individuals may submit one copy. Comments and information are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. A copy of the guidance document and received comments are available for public examination in the office above between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Dated: October 18, 1996. William K. Hubbard, Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination. [FR Doc. 96-27992 Filed 10-30-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-01-F