New Drug Development

Improving and Accelerating Therapeutic Development for Nervous System Disorders is the summary of a workshop convened by the IOM Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders to examine opportunities to accelerate early phases of drug development for nervous system drug discovery. Workshop participants discussed challenges in neuroscience research for enabling faster entry of potential treatments into first-in-human trials, explored how new and emerging tools and technologies may improve the efficiency of research, and considered mechanisms to facilitate a more effective and efficient development pipeline. There are several challenges to the current drug development pipeline for nervous system disorders. The fundamental etiology and pathophysiology of many nervous system disorders are unknown and the brain is inaccessible to study, making it difficult to develop accurate models. Patient heterogeneity is high, disease pathology can occur years to decades before becoming clinically apparent, and diagnostic and treatment biomarkers are lacking. In addition, the lack of validated targets, limitations related to the predictive validity of animal models - the extent to which the model predicts clinical efficacy - and regulatory barriers can also impede translation and drug development for nervous system disorders. Improving and Accelerating Therapeutic Development for Nervous System Disorders identifies avenues for moving directly from cellular models to human trials, minimizing the need for animal models to test efficacy, and discusses the potential benefits and risks of such an approach. This report is a timely discussion of opportunities to improve early drug development with a focus toward preclinical trials.

Rare diseases collectively affect millions of Americans of all ages, but developing drugs and medical devices to prevent, diagnose, and treat these conditions is challenging. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends implementing an integrated national strategy to promote rare diseases research and product development.

New Drug Development: Second Edition provides an overview of the design concepts and statistical practices involved in therapeutic drug development. This wide spectrum of activities begins with identifying a potentially useful drug candidate that can perhaps be used in the treatment or prevention of a condition of clinical concern, and ends with marketing approval being granted by one or more regulatory agencies. In between, it includes drug molecule optimization, nonclinical and clinical evaluations of the drug’s safety and efficacy profiles, and manufacturing considerations. The more inclusive term lifecycle drug development can be used to encompass the postmarketing surveillance that is conducted all the time that a drug is on the market and being prescribed to patients with the relevant clinical condition. Information gathered during this time can be used to modify the drug (for example, dose prescribed, formulation, and mode of administration) in terms of its safety and its effectiveness. The central focus of the first edition of this book is captured by its subtitle, 'Design, Methodology, and Analysis'. Optimum quality study design and experimental research methodology must be employed if the data collected—numerical representations of biological information—are to be of optimum quality. Optimum quality data facilitate optimum quality statistical analysis and interpretation of the results obtained, which in turn permit optimum quality decisions to be made: Rational decision making is predicated on appropriate research questions and optimum quality numerical information. The book took a non-computational approach to statistics, presenting instead a conceptual framework and providing readers with a sound working knowledge of the importance of design, methodology, and analysis. Not everyone needs to be an expert in statistical analysis, but it is very helpful for work (or aspire to work) in the pharmaceutical and biologics industries to be aware of the fundamental importance of a sound scientific and clinical approach to the planning, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials.

The development of new drugs is very complex, costly and risky. Its success is highly dependent on an intense collaboration and interaction between many departments within the drug development organization, external investigators and service providers, in constant dialogue with regulatory authorities, payers, academic experts, clinicians and patient organizations. Within the different phases of the drug life cycle, drug development is by far the most crucial part for the initial and continued success of a drug on the market. This book offers an introduction to the field of drug development with a clear overview of the different processes that lead to a successful new medicine and of the regulatory pathways that are used to launch a new drug that are both safe and efficacious. "This is the most comprehensive and detailed book on drug development I have ever read and I feel that it is likely to become a staple of drug development courses, such as those taught at Masters Level in my own University.... I think in the light of increasing integration of company and academic approaches to drug development both sides can read this book... (and, therefore)... this book could not be more timely." —Professor Mike Coleman, University of Aston, UK ( from his review of the final manuscript)

Global simultaneous development is becoming more necessary as the cost of developing medical products continues to grow. The strategy of using multiregional clinical trials (MRCTs) has become the preferred method for developing new medicines. Implementing the same protocol to include subjects from many geographical regions around the world, MRCTs can speed up the patient enrolment, thus resulting in quicker drug development and obtaining faster approval of the drug globally. After the publication of the editors’ first volume on this topic, there have been new developments on MRCTs. The International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) issued ICH E17, a guideline document on MRCTs, in November 2017, laying out principles on MRCTs. Beyond E17, new methodologies have been developed as well. Simultaneous Global New Drug Development: Multi-Regional Clinical Trials after ICH E17 collects chapters providing interpretations of principles in ICH E17 and new ideas of implementing MRCTs. Authors are from different regions, and from academia and industry. In addition, in contrast to the first book, new perspectives are brought to MRCT from regulatory agencies. This book will be of particular interest to biostatisticians working in late stage clinical development of medical products. It will also be especially helpful for statisticians in regulatory agencies, and medical research institutes. This book is comprehensive across the MRCT topic spectrum, including Issues regarding ICH E17 Implementation MRCT Design and Analysis Methodologies Perspectives from authorities in regulatory agencies, as well as statisticians practicing in the medical product industry Many examples of real-life applications based on actual MRCTs.

The focus of early drug development has been the submission of an Investigational New Drug application to regulatory agencies. Early Drug Development: Strategies and Routes to First-in-Human Trials guides drug development organizations in preparing and submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. By explaining the nuts and bolts of preclinical development activities and their interplay in effectively identifying successful clinical candidates, the book helps pharmaceutical scientists determine what types of discovery and preclinical research studies are needed in order to support a submission to regulatory agencies.

A Comprehensive Guide to Toxicology in Nonclinical Drug Development, Third Edition is a valuable reference providing a complete understanding of all aspects of nonclinical toxicology in pharmaceutical research. This updated edition has been expanded and re-developed covering a wide-range of toxicological issues in small molecules and biologics. Topics include ADME in drug discovery, pharmacokinetics, toxicokinetics, formulations, and genetic toxicology testing. The book has been thoroughly updated throughout to reflect the latest scientific advances and includes new information on antiviral drugs, anti-diabetic drugs, immunotherapy, and a discussion on post-pandemic drug development challenges and opportunities. This is an essential and practical resource for all toxicologists involved in nonclinical testing in industry, academic, and regulatory settings. Provides updated, unique content not covered in one comprehensive resource, including chapters on stem cells, antiviral drugs, anti-diabetic drugs, and immunotherapy Includes the latest international guidelines for nonclinical toxicology in both small and large molecules Incorporates practical examples in order to illustrate day-to-day activities and expectations associated with working in nonclinical toxicology