Reports and guidance documents; availability, etc.: Toxicity grading scale for healthy adult and adolescent volunteers enrolled in preventative vaccine clinical trials,

[Federal Register: May 2, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 83)]

[Notices]

[Page 22664-22665]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr02my05-66]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 2005D-0155]

Draft ``Guidance for Industry: Toxicity Grading Scale for Healthy Adult and Adolescent Volunteers Enrolled in Preventive Vaccine Clinical Trials;'' Availability

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

[[Page 22665]]

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft document entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Toxicity Grading Scale for Healthy Adult and Adolescent Volunteers Enrolled in Preventive Vaccine Clinical Trials,'' dated April 2005. The draft guidance provides sponsors of vaccine trials with recommendations on assessing the severity of clinical and laboratory abnormalities in healthy adult and adolescent volunteers enrolled in clinical trials. In particular, the draft guidance includes toxicity grading scale tables to use as a guideline for selecting the assessment criteria.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the draft guidance by August 1, 2005 to ensure their adequate consideration in preparation of the final guidance. General comments on agency guidance documents are welcome at any time.

ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for single copies of the draft guidance to the Office of Communication, Training, and Manufacturers Assistance (HFM-40), Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist the office in processing your requests. The draft guidance may also be obtained by mail by calling the CBER Voice Information System at 1-800- 835-4709 or 301-827-1800. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for electronic access to the draft guidance document.

Submit written comments on the draft guidance to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic comments to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda R. Friend, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (HFM-17), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, suite 200N, Rockville, MD 20852-1448, 301-827-6210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

   FDA is announcing the availability of a draft document entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Toxicity Grading Scale for Healthy Adult and Adolescent Volunteers Enrolled in Preventive Vaccine Clinical Trials'' dated April 2005. The draft guidance provides sponsors of vaccine trials with toxicity grading scale tables as a guideline for selecting the criteria to assess the severity of clinical and laboratory abnormalities in healthy adult and adolescent volunteers enrolled in clinical trials. The parameters in the tables are not necessarily warranted for every clinical trial of healthy volunteers. The parameters monitored should be appropriate for the specific study vaccine. In addition, the use of toxicity grading scales to categorize adverse events observed during clinical trials does not replace regulatory requirements to monitor, investigate, and report adverse events.

   The draft guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The draft guidance, when finalized, will represent the agency's current thinking on this topic. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirement of the applicable statutes and regulations.

2. Comments

   The draft guidance is being distributed for comment purposes only and is not intended for implementation at this time. Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES) written or electronic comments regarding the draft guidance. Submit written or electronic comments to ensure adequate consideration in preparation of the final guidance. Submit a single copy of electronic comments or two paper copies of any mailed comments, except that individuals may submit one paper copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in the brackets in the heading of this document. A copy of the draft guidance and received comments are available for public examination in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

3. Electronic Access

   Persons with access to the Internet may obtain the draft guidance at either http://www.fda.gov/cber/guidelines.htm or http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/default.htm.

   Dated: April 22, 2005.

   Jeffrey Shuren, Assistant Commissioner for Policy.

   [FR Doc. 05-8634 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4160-01-S