02-12872. Guidance for Industry on Carcinogenicity Study Protocol Submissions; Availability

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a guidance for industry entitled “Carcinogenicity Study Protocol Submissions.” This document is intended to provide guidance on the types of information the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) relies on when evaluating protocols for animal carcinogenicity studies.

DATES:

Submit written or electronic comments on agency guidances at any time.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written requests for single copies of this guidance to the Division of Drug Information (HFD-240), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist that office in processing your requests. Submit written comments on the guidance to the Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to http://www.fda.gov/​dockets/​ecomments. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for electronic access to the guidance document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert E. Osterberg, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (HFD-24), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-594-5476.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

FDA is announcing the availability of a guidance for industry entitled “Carcinogenicity Study Protocol Submissions.” In conjunction with the reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992 (PDUFA), FDA agreed to specific performance goals (PDUFA goals) for activities associated with the development and review of products in human drug applications. The PDUFA goals related to special protocol assessment and agreement provide that, upon request, FDA will evaluate within 45 calendar days certain protocols and issues relating to the protocols to assess whether they are adequate to meet scientific and regulatory requirements identified by the sponsor. Protocols for animal carcinogenicity studies are eligible for this special protocol assessment. This guidance is intended to facilitate the agency's review of protocols for animal carcinogenicity studies by informing sponsors of the types of information the agency relies on during its evaluation of such protocols. A draft guidance of the same name was made available for public comment in a notice published in the Federal Register of November 7, 2000 (65 FR 66757). This guidance contains only minor changes for clarification.

This guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The guidance represents the agency's current thinking on carcinogenicity study protocol submissions. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

II. Comments

Interested persons may, at any time, submit written or electronic comments on the guidance to the Dockets Management Branch (address above). Two copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that individuals may submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. 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.

III. Electronic Access

Persons with access to the Internet may obtain the document at http://www.fda.gov/​cder/​guidance/​index.htm or http://www.fda.gov/​ohrms/​dockets/​default.htm.

Dated: May 15, 2002.

Margaret M. Dotzel,

Associate Commissioner for Policy.