The Path From Biomarker Discovery To Regulatory Qualification

The Path from Biomarker Discovery to Regulatory Qualification is a unique guide that focuses on biomarker qualification, its history and current regulatory settings in both the US and abroad. This multi-contributed book provides a detailed look at the next step to developing biomarkers for clinical use and covers overall concepts, challenges, strategies and solutions based on the experiences of regulatory authorities and scientists. Members of the regulatory, pharmaceutical and biomarker development communities will benefit the most from using this book—it is a complete and practical guide to biomarker qualification, providing valuable insight to an ever-evolving and important area of regulatory science. For complimentary access to chapter 13, 'Classic' Biomarkers of Liver Injury, by John R. Senior, Associate Director for Science, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, please visit the following site: http://tinyurl.com/ClassicBiomarkers Contains a collection of experiences of different groups taking different types of biomarkers to different levels of qualification and provides insightful case studies of an important area of regulatory science Focuses on practical advice, concepts, strategies and overall outcomes to support those working toward biomarker qualification for clinical use Offers a valuable resource for members of the regulatory, pharmaceutical and biomarker development communities.

Discover how biomarkers can boost the success rate of drug development efforts As pharmaceutical companies struggle to improve the success rate and cost-effectiveness of the drug development process, biomarkers have emerged as a valuable tool. This book synthesizes and reviews the latest efforts to identify, develop, and integrate biomarkers as a key strategy in translational medicine and the drug development process. Filled with case studies, the book demonstrates how biomarkers can improve drug development timelines, lower costs, facilitate better compound selection, reduce late-stage attrition, and open the door to personalized medicine. Biomarkers in Drug Development is divided into eight parts: Part One offers an overview of biomarkers and their role in drug development. Part Two highlights important technologies to help researchers identify new biomarkers. Part Three examines the characterization and validation process for both drugs and diagnostics, and provides practical advice on appropriate statistical methods to ensure that biomarkers fulfill their intended purpose. Parts Four through Six examine the application of biomarkers in discovery, preclinical safety assessment, clinical trials, and translational medicine. Part Seven focuses on lessons learned and the practical aspects of implementing biomarkers in drug development programs. Part Eight explores future trends and issues, including data integration, personalized medicine, and ethical concerns. Each of the thirty-eight chapters was contributed by one or more leading experts, including scientists from biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms, academia, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Their contributions offer pharmaceutical and clinical researchers the most up-to-date understanding of the strategies used for and applications of biomarkers in drug development.

Many people naturally assume that the claims made for foods and nutritional supplements have the same degree of scientific grounding as those for medication, but that is not always the case. The IOM recommends that the FDA adopt a consistent scientific framework for biomarker evaluation in order to achieve a rigorous and transparent process.

Drug Discovery and Evaluation has become a more and more difficult, expensive and time-consuming process. The effect of a new compound has to be detected by in vitro and in vivo methods of pharmacology. The activity spectrum and the potency compared to existing drugs have to be determined. As these processes can be divided up stepwise we have designed a book series "Drug Discovery and Evaluation" in the form of a recommendation document. The methods to detect drug targets are described in the first volume of this series "Pharmacological Assays" comprising classical methods as well as new technologies. Before going to man, the most suitable compound has to be selected by pharmacokinetic studies and experiments in toxicology. These preclinical methods are described in the second volume „Safety and Pharmacokinetic Assays". Only then are first studies in human beings allowed. Special rules are established for Phase I studies. Clinical pharmacokinetics are performed in parallel with human studies on tolerability and therapeutic effects. Special studies according to various populations and different therapeutic indications are necessary. These items are covered in the third volume: „Methods in Clinical Pharmacology".

“Precision/personalized or stratified medicine” refers to the tailoring of medical treatment or drug administration to the individual characteristics of each patient treatment. It does not literally mean that a pharmaceutical company makes a drug for an individual patient for consumption and treatment but rather means the ability to stratify (or classify) individuals into sub-populations that differ in their responsiveness to a specific drug. A marker that provides information on the likely response to therapy, i.e., either in terms of tumor shrinkage or survival of the patient is termed “predictive biomarker”. Despite their promise in precision medicine and the explosion of knowledge in this area, there is not a single source on this subject that puts all this evidence together in a concise or richly illustrated and easy to understand manner. This book provides a collection of ingeniously organized, well-illustrated and up-to-date authoritative chapters divided into five sections that are clear and easy to understand. Section one provides an overview of biomarkers, introduces the basic terminologies, definitions, technologies, tools and concepts associated with this subject in the form of illustrations/graphics, photographs and concise texts. Several recent biomarker endeavors that have been initiated and funded by the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, FDA and other International organizations are presented. Section two involves the signaling pathways controlling cell growth and differentiation altered in cancer. This section analyzes how predictive biomarkers are altered (expressed or amplified) across cancer types. Section three explores how predictive biomarkers play a role in patient stratification and tailored treatment in relationship to specific cancers. In addition, it includes discussion on the various precision medicine initiatives that are going on across the globe (e.g. TARGET, NCI-MATCH, BATTLE, SHIVA, etc.). Section four discusses: (a) how pharmaceutical companies validate predictive biomarker assays and accompanying companion diagnostics either internally or externally with partner companies such as central laboratories or clinical research organizations, and (b) how predictive biomarker tests fall under the oversight of US FDA, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and state laws. Section five wraps up novel agents and targets that are being used as targets for cancer therapeutics. The biomarkers associated with these protocols will also be presented. Throughout the book, sidebars, special interest boxes and illustrations are used to explain terms that are either newly introduced, uncommon, or specialized. Predictive Biomarkers in Oncology will serve as a definitive guide for practicing pathologists, oncologists, basic researchers, and personnel in the pharmaceutical or diagnostic industry interested in learning how “predictive biomarkers” are used in precision cancer therapy.

"The field of Biomarkers and Precision Medicine in drug development is rapidly evolving and this book presents a snapshot of exciting new approaches. By presenting a wide range of biomarker applications, discussed by knowledgeable and experienced scientists, readers will develop an appreciation of the scope and breadth of biomarker knowledge and find examples that will help them in their own work." -Maria Freire, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Handbook of Biomarkers and Precision Medicine provides comprehensive insights into biomarker discovery and development which has driven the new era of Precision Medicine. A wide variety of renowned experts from government, academia, teaching hospitals, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies share best practices, examples and exciting new developments. The handbook aims to provide in-depth knowledge to research scientists, students and decision makers engaged in Biomarker and Precision Medicine-centric drug development. Features: Detailed insights into biomarker discovery, validation and diagnostic development with implementation strategies Lessons-learned from successful Precision Medicine case studies A variety of exciting and emerging biomarker technologies The next frontiers and future challenges of biomarkers in Precision Medicine Claudio Carini, Mark Fidock and Alain van Gool are internationally recognized as scientific leaders in Biomarkers and Precision Medicine. They have worked for decades in academia and pharmaceutical industry in EU, USA and Asia. Currently, Dr. Carini is Honorary Faculty at Kings’s College School of Medicine, London, UK. Dr. Fidock is Vice President of Precision Medicine Laboratories at AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK. Prof.dr. van Gool is Head Translational Metabolic Laboratory at Radboud university medical school, Nijmegen, NL.

Biomarkers, or biological markers, are quantitative measurements that offer researchers and clinicians valuable insight into diagnosis, treatment and prognosis for many disorders and diseases. A major goal in neuroscience medical research is establishing biomarkers for disorders of the nervous system. Given the promising potential and necessity for neuroscience biomarkers, the Institute of Medicine Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders convened a public workshop and released the workshop summary entitled Neuroscience Biomarkers and Biosignatures: Converging Technologies, Emerging Partnerships. The workshop brought together experts from multiple areas to discuss the most promising and practical arenas in neuroscience in which biomarkers will have the greatest impact. The main objective of the workshop was to identify and discuss biomarker targets that are not currently being aggressively pursued but that could have the greatest near-term impact on the rate at which new treatments are brought forward for psychiatric and neurological disorders.

Pharmaceutical Medicine and Translational Clinical Research covers clinical testing of medicines and the translation of pharmaceutical drug research into new medicines, also focusing on the need to understand the safety profile of medicine and the benefit-risk balance. Pharmacoeconomics and the social impact of healthcare on patients and public health are also featured. It is written in a clear and straightforward manner to enable rapid review and assimilation of complex information and contains reader-friendly features. As a greater understanding of these aspects is critical for students in the areas of pharmaceutical medicine, clinical research, pharmacology and pharmacy, as well as professionals working in the pharmaceutical industry, this book is an ideal resource. Includes detailed coverage of current trends and key topics in pharmaceutical medicine, including biosimilars, biobetters, super generics, and Provides a comprehensive look at current and important aspects of the science and regulation of drug and biologics discovery