[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 250 (Monday, December 30, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 79469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-31213]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. FDA-2013-N-0001]


Strategies To Address Hemolytic Complications of Immune Globulin 
Infusions; Public Workshop

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of public workshop.

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    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public 
workshop entitled ``Strategies to Address Hemolytic Complications of 
Immune Globulin Infusions.'' The purpose of the public workshop is to 
identify and discuss potential risk mitigation strategies for Immune 
Globulin (Ig)-associated hemolysis and to identify and discuss 
important research questions related to patient risk and product 
characteristics. The workshop has been planned in partnership with the 
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of 
Health, and the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association. The workshop 
will include presentations and panel discussions by experts from 
academic institutions, industry, and government agencies.
    Dates and Times: The public workshop will be held on January 28, 
2014, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and January 29, 2014, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.
    Location: The public workshop will be held at Lister Hill Center 
Auditorium, National Institutes of Health Campus, Building 38A, 8600 
Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894.
    Contact Person: Chris Nguyen, Center for Biologics Evaluation and 
Research (HFM-49), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, 
suite 200N, Rockville, MD 20852-1448, 301-827-2000, FAX: 301-827-3079, 
email: [email protected].
    Registration: Mail or fax your registration information (including 
name, title, firm name, address, telephone, and fax numbers) to Chris 
Nguyen (see Contact Person) or email to [email protected] 
(subject line: IG Hemolysis Workshop Registration) by January 10, 2014. 
There is no registration fee for the public workshop. Early 
registration is recommended because seating is limited. Registration on 
the day of the public workshop will be provided on a space available 
basis beginning at 7:30 a.m. Pre-registered participants will receive 
additional information on security procedures, parking, and public 
transportation with their email registration confirmation.
    If you need special accommodations due to a disability, please 
contact Chris Nguyen (see Contact Person) at least 7 days in advance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Clinically significant hemolysis is a long-
recognized complication of Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV) (Human) 
infusion. Complications of hemolysis include severe anemia requiring 
transfusion, renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. 
Ig-associated hemolysis has been generally thought to be caused by the 
presence of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against major red blood 
cell antigens. All FDA-licensed Ig products are tested and have upper 
limit release specifications for antibodies against blood group 
antigens A, B, and Rho(D). However, IGIV-associated hemolysis occurs 
despite adherence to these specifications. In addition, there are 
factors that may increase a patient's risk for hemolysis. Known patient 
risk factors for hemolysis include: (1) High doses of IGIV; (2) 
recipient blood type A, AB, or B; and (3) other factors, such as 
history of hemolysis and possibly underlying inflammatory disease.
    The goals of the workshop are to identify and discuss potential 
risk mitigation strategies for Ig-associated hemolysis, including 
improved identification of patients at high risk for hemolysis; changes 
in product specifications, tests, or test methods; and modifications to 
manufacturing to lower product risk. In addition, this workshop is 
intended to identify and discuss important outstanding research 
questions related to patient risk and product characteristics.
    The first day of this workshop will include presentations and panel 
discussions on the following topics: (1) Pathogenesis and epidemiology 
of IGIV-associated hemolysis; (2) patient risk factors; and (3) 
possible product risk factors, including the presence of Anti-A and 
Anti-B hemagglutinins.
    The second day of the workshop will include presentations and panel 
discussions on the following topics: (1) Immune globulin manufacturing 
and risk mitigation strategies and (2) workshop summary and 
conclusions.
    Transcripts: Please be advised that as soon as possible after a 
transcript of the public workshop is available, it will be accessible 
at: http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/NewsEvents/WorkshopsMeetingsConferences/TranscriptsMinutes/default.htm. 
Transcripts of the public workshop may also be requested in writing 
from the Division of Freedom of Information (ELEM-1029), Food and Drug 
Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20857.

    Dated: December 23, 2013.
Leslie Kux,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2013-31213 Filed 12-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-P