Gene therapy products are typically designed to achieve therapeutic effect through long-acting or permanent changes in the human body. Due to this extended period of exposure, patients who receive gene therapies may be at increased risk of delayed adverse events. To understand and mitigate the risk of these delayed adverse events, participants in gene therapy...
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...
Introduction Due to the challenges associated with studying investigational medical products in neonates, healthcare professionals must often resort to administering drugs in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) off-label. While numerous pediatric legislative initiatives have been passed worldwide, neonates are still largely treated with medicines that have not been specifically studied or approved in this young,...
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...
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...
Summary The Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity (RACE) for Children Act 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...
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...
As those working in the development of combination products likely know, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued two new draft guidances in December 2019. The guidances – Requesting FDA Feedback on Combination Products and Bridging for Drug-Device and Biologic-Device Combination Products– were published in response to the 21st Century Cures Act and Prescription Drug...