FDA Issues Guidance on Environmental Assessments

FDA has issued a final guidance document for sponsors of investigational new drug (IND) applications and biologic license applications (BLA) recommending considerations for determining whether to submit an environmental assessment (EA) for gene therapies, vectored vaccines, and related viral or microbial products. The agency also details what information should be included in an EA.

The guidance includes EA considerations for INDs, BLAs, and BLA supplements for gene therapies and vectored vaccines for infectious disease indications. It also includes EA considerations for INDs, BLAs, and BLA supplements for related viruses and microbes that were generated using recombinant DNA technology. According to the guidance, “EA considerations for INDs, BLAs, and BLA supplements for live attenuated viral or microbial vaccines created by traditional methods, such as serial passaging and recombinant protein-based vaccines,” are not addressed.

Source: FDA.gov