Contact Us
- Solutions
- Resources
- About
- Contact Us
close
Optional callout banner for highlighted news or events
Learn More
To avoid the risks, costs, and possible pitfalls that typically terminate projects during later stages of drug development, it’s important for companies early-stage development the time and respect it deserves. This is an especially critical piece of advice for smaller pharma firms that have less capital to spend on R&D and may be tempted to minimize the budget for research solutions during early-stage development.1
Both large and small pharma and biopharma organizations can mitigate risks and costs by partnering with a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that specializes in early-stage development processes, including pre-formulation studies and drug product evaluations, to quickly get to a go/no-go decision, scale up formulations from lab to IND, and accelerate timelines in the post-IND stage.
Industry experts cite the most important element of the pre-clinical process is selecting the best new molecular entities to enter into the clinical trials and to limit failure in full development. Thus, the priority during the preclinical selection process lies in the safety and efficacy testing of a new molecular entity.
According to Regulatory Professionals consultants, the first step in evaluating a new chemical entity (NCE) or new molecular entity is conducting in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies that define relevant safety characteristics.3
These include:
Pre-formulation Studies
Life science leaders describe pre-formulation studies as the process of “learning before doing.” These laboratory studies determine the characteristics of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and excipients that may influence formulation and process design and performance.
These studies include:
During pre-clinical drug development, the drug’s toxic and pharmacological effects need to be evaluated through in vitro and in vivo laboratory animal testing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires sponsoring companies to develop a pharmacological profile, determine toxicity in at least two species of animals and conduct short-term toxicity studies.4 The following steps will be taken during drug production evaluation:
Clinical trial design is the final step of the pre-clinical phase. Scientists determine the appropriate amount of the drug to achieve both safety and efficacy through microdose, single ascending dose, or multiple ascending dose trials. For randomized trials, decisions must be made on the type of blinding. Will the new entity be tested against an approved comparator or placebo? Supplemental safety studies may also be required at one or more phases.3
When the trial design has been finalized, an investigational new drug (IND) or analogous clinical trial application, must be filed with the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, and/or the regulatory bodies of any other countries where you are planning to conduct the study. This application requests authorization to administer the biopharmaceutical to humans. Requesting a pre-IND meeting with the agency prior to submission may be useful for resolving questions, addressing concerns, and preventing surprises right before your trial is set to start. The FDA requires a briefing package with relevant materials and data at least a month before a requested meeting.3
Pre-clinical work goes hand in hand with Phase I/II clinical development. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization of clinical success rates in advancing drugs to market between 2006 and 2015 found that only 9.6% of drugs entering Phase I clinical testing will reach the market, and following phases II 30.7% of drugs fail.5 A CDMO will create a seamless transition from pre-clinical formulations to Phase I/early Phase II clinical supplies to help ensure a program’s success.
During the early stages of clinical development, the investigational focus is on safety monitoring:3
Devan Patel, who joined Pii in 2012, is Vice President of Client Services where oversees Pii’s Business Operations functions. He previously served as Pii’s Senior Director, Project Management since 2012. In that role, Devan played a key role in Pii’s development and commercial programs for orals and injectables. With his leadership, Pii has built a world-class Project Management Organization (PMO) consistently characterized by superb customer experience. Over the years, Devan has used his knowledge and technical skills to play a vital role for the Operations team, managing key initiatives for the Parenteral/Sterile business unit, including managing the overall scheduling and planning of all Aseptic Operations. His collaborative style when working with cross-functional teams across Pii’s business units and ability to anticipate problems before they occur as raised the role of project management to an artform. Devan delivers a positive, outcomes-focused experience for our client-partners, from initial contact through successful completion of each project.
Devan earned his Bachelors in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Maryland and a M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University.
Like what you read? Share with your network:
