[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 99 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29752-29754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12627]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Nomination of In Vitro Test Methods for Detection and 
Quantification of Botulinum Neurotoxins and Detection of Non-Endotoxin 
Pyrogens; Data Request for Substances Evaluated by These Test Methods

AGENCY: Division of National Toxicology Program (NTP), National 
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes 
of Health (NIH).

ACTION: Request for comments and/or data.

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SUMMARY: On behalf of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the 
Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM), the NTP Interagency Center 
for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM) 
requests public comment on nominations received for (1) Three in vitro 
test methods proposed for detecting and quantifying botulinum 
neurotoxin (BoNT), and (2) an in vitro test method proposed for 
detecting non-endotoxin pyrogens. NICEATM seeks data generated using 
alternative test methods for detecting and quantifying BoNT, including 
but not limited to three test methods nominated by BioSentinel 
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BioSentinel). Data from the standardized mouse 
LD50 assay currently used for these endpoints are requested 
for comparison. In addition, NICEATM seeks data generated using 
alternative test methods for identifying non-endotoxin pyrogens, 
including but not limited to the monocyte activation test (MAT), which 
was nominated by Biotest AG. Data on non-endotoxin pyrogens tested in 
the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) are requested for comparison. NICEATM 
received nominations for validation studies on each of the above test 
methods, which have the potential to reduce or replace animal use for 
regulatory testing. At this time, ICCVAM requests public comments on 
the appropriateness and relative priority of these activities.

DATES: For consideration by the Scientific Advisory Committee on 
Alternative Toxicological Methods (SACATM) at its annual meeting (67 FR 
23323), comments and data are

[[Page 29753]]

requested by June 2, 2011. NICEATM and ICCVAM will accept comments and 
data for these nominations until July 7, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Warren Casey, Deputy Director, 
NICEATM, NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, Mail Stop: K2-16, Research Triangle 
Park, NC, 27709, (telephone) 919-541-2384, (fax) 919-541-0947, (e-mail) 
[email protected]ov. Courier address: NICEATM, NIEHS, Room 2034, 530 
Davis Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Nomination for the Detection and Quantification of BoNTs

    In 2006, NICEATM and ICCVAM convened a workshop, Alternative 
Methods to Refine, Reduce, or Replace the Mouse LD50 Assay 
for Botulinum Toxin Testing, in response to a nomination from the 
Humane Society of the United States requesting that ICCVAM assess the 
availability of alternative methods to replace the mouse 
LD50 assay for BoNT potency testing. Workshop participants 
concluded that some of the methods considered could be used, in 
specific circumstances or in a tiered-testing strategy, to reduce or 
refine the use of mice in current in vivo BoNT testing protocols 
(ICCVAM, 2008a). However, none of the reviewed methods was considered 
suitable to serve as a complete replacement for the mouse 
LD50 assay, either for detection of BoNT or for potency 
determination. The workshop participants noted that some of the methods 
considered might be useful as replacements for the mouse 
LD50 assay in the future given additional development and 
validation efforts.
    BioSentinel has developed tests for the detection and 
quantification of BoNTs. These tests include the in vitro 
BoTestTM and BoTestTM Matrix assays and the cell-
based assay BoCeIlTM. Following appropriate validation and 
demonstration of adequate performance, these methods may have the 
potential to meet regulatory requirements for detection and 
quantification of BoNTs in a range of applications.
    BioSentinel has forwarded a nomination for these methods to (1) 
Facilitate collaboration to develop a validation strategy which could 
lead to the regulatory acceptance of the test methods for the detection 
and quantification of BoNT contained in suspect substances, the 
determination of drug product potency, and/or the clinical diagnosis of 
botulism and (2) coordinate and conduct necessary validation studies.

Nomination for the Detection of Non-Endotoxin Pyrogens

    ICCVAM previously evaluated the validation status of five in vitro 
test methods proposed for assessing the potential pyrogenicity (i.e., 
ability to induce fever) of pharmaceuticals and other products, as 
potential replacements for the RPT. Subsequent to this evaluation, 
ICCVAM recommended that, although none of the test methods should be 
considered as a complete replacement for the RPT for the detection of 
Gram-negative endotoxin, they can be considered for use to detect Gram-
negative endotoxin in human parenteral drugs on a case-by-case basis, 
subject to product-specific validation to demonstrate equivalence to 
the RPT, in accordance with applicable U.S. Federal regulations 
(ICCVAM, 2008b). ICCVAM recognized that these test methods could be 
applicable for detection of a wider range of pyrogens, including non-
endotoxin pyrogens, and made recommendations for future studies that 
could expand their applicability. In response to these recommendations, 
Biotest AG recently nominated a commercialized version of one of these 
tests (i.e., MAT), which uses cryopreserved human blood and quantitates 
the induction of interleukin (IL)-1[beta], for additional validation 
studies to evaluate its usefulness for identifying non-endotoxin 
pyrogens.

Draft ICCVAM Conclusions and Recommendations

    Based on the information provided by the test method sponsors, 
ICCVAM concludes that the nominated activities are of sufficient 
interest and applicability to warrant further evaluation. ICCVAM's 
preliminary recommendation is that both nominations should have a high 
priority for further discussion to assess what information is needed to 
adequately characterize the usefulness and limitations of the proposed 
test methods, and any other similar in vitro test methods, for these 
endpoints. These assessments will identify what data are needed and 
what studies are required to fill any data gaps that are identified. 
Studies identified as necessary to adequately characterize the 
validation status for regulatory testing purposes are proposed to have 
a high priority.
    As part of the nomination review process, NICEATM invites public 
comments on these nominations and the appropriateness and relative 
priority assigned by ICCVAM to the nominated activities. ICCVAM will 
finalize its recommendations on the priority of these nominations after 
considering comments received from the public and SACATM, which will 
comment on the ICCVAM draft recommendations at its meeting on June 16-
17, 2011.

Background Information on ICCVAM, NICEATM, and SACATM

    ICCVAM is an interagency committee composed of representatives from 
15 Federal regulatory and research agencies that require, use, 
generate, or disseminate toxicological and safety testing information. 
ICCVAM conducts technical evaluations of new, revised, and alternative 
safety testing methods with regulatory applicability and promotes the 
scientific validation and regulatory acceptance of toxicological and 
safety testing methods that more accurately assess the safety and 
hazards of chemicals and products and that reduce, refine (decrease or 
eliminate pain and distress), or replace animal use. The ICCVAM 
Authorization Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 285l-3) established ICCVAM as a 
permanent interagency committee of the NIEHS under NICEATM. NICEATM 
administers ICCVAM, provides scientific and operational support for 
ICCVAM-related activities, and conducts independent validation studies 
to assess the usefulness and limitations of new, revised, and 
alternative test methods and strategies. NICEATM and ICCVAM work 
collaboratively to evaluate new and improved test methods and 
strategies applicable to the needs of U.S. Federal agencies. NICEATM 
and ICCVAM welcome the public nomination of new, revised, and 
alternative test methods and strategies for validation studies and 
technical evaluations. Additional information about ICCVAM and NICEATM 
can be found on the NICEATM-ICCVAM Web site (http://iccvam.niehs.vnih.gov).
    SACATM was established in response to the ICCVAM Authorization Act 
(Section 285l-3(d)) and is composed of scientists from the public and 
private sectors. SACATM advises ICCVAM, NICEATM, and the Director of 
the NIEHS and NTP regarding statutorily mandated duties of ICCVAM and 
activities of NICEATM. SACATM provides advice on priorities and 
activities related to the development, validation, scientific review, 
regulatory acceptance, implementation, and national and international 
harmonization of new, revised, and alternative toxicological test 
methods. Additional information about SACATM, including the charter, 
roster, and records of past meetings, can be found at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/167.

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References

    ICCVAM. 2008a. ICCVAM-NICEATM/ECVAM Scientific Workshop on 
Alternative Methods to Refine, Reduce, or Replace the Mouse 
LD50 Assay for Botulinum Toxin Testing. NIH Publication 
No. 08-6416. Research Triangle Park, NC: NIEHS. Available: http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/biologics-docs/BoNTwkshprept.pdf.
    ICCVAM. 2008b. ICCVAM Test Method Evaluation Report: Validation 
Status of Five In Vitro Test Methods Proposed for Assessing 
Pyrogenicity of Pharmaceuticals and Other Products. NIH Publication 
No. 08- 6392. Research Triangle Park, NC: NIEHS. Available: http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/methods/pyrogen/pyr_tmer.htm.

    Dated: May 16, 2011.
John R. Bucher,
Associate Director, National Toxicology Program.
[FR Doc. 2011-12627 Filed 5-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P