Back to Explorer

S6 Preclinical Safety Evaluation of Biotechnology-Derived Pharmaceuticals

FinalCenter for Biologics Evaluation and Research Center for Drug Evaluation and Research11/18/1997
Safety assessmentGood Laboratory PracticeToxicokinetics

Key Topics

Terms and concepts identified from this document

Scope & Applicability

Product Classes

4
Biotechnology-Derived Pharmaceuticals

Assessment of embryo-fetal developmental toxicity; Small molecules, biotechnology-derived products, and related compounds

Monoclonal antibodies

Focus of biologics DDI evaluation.

Recombinant DNA protein vaccines

Principles may be applicable to these products

Transgenic Animals

Animal models expressing the human receptor used for safety testing

Stakeholders

3
Manufacturer

Entity responsible for submitting NDINs

Nonhuman primate

Often the only relevant species for certain classes of compounds

Relevant Animal Species

Species in which the test material is pharmacologically active

Regulatory Context

Regulatory Activities

9
Carcinogenicity Studies

Standard bioassays are generally inappropriate; product-specific assessment needed

Local Tolerance Studies

Evaluation of the formulation intended for marketing

Marketing authorization

Submission requiring RVLP quantification data; Requires data from at least three lots of purified bulk

Marketing Authorizations

Regulatory procedure involving electronic exchange of documents

Single Dose Toxicity Studies

Used to describe dose-response relationships and systemic toxicity

Repeated Dose Toxicity Studies

Conducted to evaluate reversal or worsening of toxicological effects

Immunotoxicity Studies

Evaluation of potential immunogenicity and immune system effects

Reproductive Performance and Developmental Toxicity Studies

Dependent upon product, clinical indication, and patient population

Genotoxicity Studies

Standard range and type are generally not applicable to biopharmaceuticals

Document Types

1
Points-to-consider documents

Issued by regulatory agencies regarding safety assessment

Attributes

5
Biological Activity

Term used for materials instead of potency.

Elimination half-life

Pharmacokinetic property used to exercise medical judgment on suspect drugs.

No Observed Adverse Effect Level

The highest dose at which no adverse effects are observed (NOAEL).; identified by the subchronic oral study to assess safety

Species Specificity

A unique property of biopharmaceuticals affecting animal model selection

Immunogenicity

Assessment required for therapeutic protein products.

Technical Details

Substances

6
Cytokines

Example of cancer immunotherapeutic drugs within scope

Immunosuppressive agents

Biological activity may necessitate carcinogenicity assessment

Growth factors

Absorption typically less than 1 percent from chronic ulcer sites but may be clinically significant.

Monoclonal antibodies

including monoclonal antibodies for prophylactic use

Recombinant DNA

Recombinant proteins are produced with recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid technology

Homologous Proteins

Proteins used in preclinical studies when the clinical candidate is not active in species.; Alternative approach for hazard detection

Testing Methods

9
Single Dose Toxicity Studies

Specific consideration for safety evaluation

Repeated Dose Toxicity Studies

Nonclinical safety data

Genotoxicity Studies

Section VII of the guidance.

Biochemical and Biological Characterization

Used to evaluate comparability based on identity, purity, stability, and potency

In Vitro Assays

Non-animal methods for phototoxicity testing

Immunohistochemical Procedures

Used for cross-reactivity studies using a range of human tissues

Toxicokinetics

Data from existing repeated-dose toxicity studies used for dose selection.

Assays

Used for quantitation of analytes in animal and human samples

TCA-precipitable radioactivity

Method for quantitation of radiolabeled proteins

Processes

4
Preclinical safety evaluation

Evaluation in targeted areas of the body for combination products.

Purification processes

Used to remove impurities and contaminants

Manufacturing Process

Changes to this process may affect the identity and NDI status of an ingredient.; Changes to this process may create an NDI; you should describe the manufacturing process and provide detailed information; includes fermentation as an intrinsic part of identity

Metabolism

Impaired renal function can alter drug metabolism

Clinical Concepts

5
Toxicity

data derived from an assessment of toxicity

Neoplasia

The induction of tumors which carcinogenicity testing aims to assess

Immunogenicity

Assessment of the immune response to the biological product

Pharmacodynamics

Study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs

Pharmacokinetics

Study of how the body interacts with administered substances

Identified Hazards

Hazards

3
Viral infections

Risk associated with products from mammalian cells

Allergic reactions

Warning statement recommended for scented tampons

Tissue Cross-Reactivity

Unintentional reactivity towards human tissues distinct from the target

Standards & References

Specifications

1
Safe dose

Primary goal to identify initial safe dose in humans

ICH References (1)

ICH S6

Preclinical Safety Evaluation of Biotechnology-Derived Pharmaceuticals

Related MFDS Guidelines

Korean regulatory guidelines covering similar topics

See Also (8)

S6 Preclinical Safety Evaluation of Biotechnology-Derived Pharmaceuticals | Guideline Explorer | BioRegHub