8:15-9:35 – Industry Presentations
· 8:15-8:45 NMDP screening process for PBSC and cord blood donors of products imported into the US (Fran Rabe)
· 8:45-8:55 Importing/exporting “conventional” HCT/Ps (Scott A. Brubaker, CTBS)
· 8:55-9:15 Overview of regulations of the major exporting European countries (Speaker TBD)
· 9:15-9:25 How we handle non-NMDP products (John McMannis, PhD; Shelly Heimfeld, PhD)
· 9:25-9:35 Third Edition of FACT-NetCord Cord Blood Standards and Update on Accreditation of Sites Outside the US (Phyllis Warkentin, MD)
· 9:35-9:45 AABB Accreditation of Sites Outside the US (Karen Shoos Lipton, JD)
· 9:45-9:55 Requirement to implement the National Drug Code (NDC) system for licensed HCT/Ps, including imported products as presented in the recently released proposed rule: Requirements for Foreign and Domestic Establishment Registration and Listing for Human Drugs, Including Drugs that are Regulated Under a Biologics License Application, and Animal Drugs (Docket No. 2005N-0403, August 29, 2006). (Joseph L. Giglio, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB, CSQE(ASQ), CQA)
9:55-10:45 – Discussion
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10:45-11:00 – BREAK
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HOMOLOGOUS USE WHITE PAPER
The Homologous Use Working Group and corresponding Advisory Group were formed by ISCT, in conjunction with other stakeholders, to address confusion about FDA’s application of the definition for “
homologous use” as found in 21 CFR 1271 to different types of cell-based therapies. The Working Group was assigned the task of creating a white paper to clearly identify industry concerns surrounding the regulatory definition for “
homologous use” and to offer preliminary solutions. The Working and Advisory Groups intend this Homologous Use white paper to be a vehicle for communication to other member organizations and to the FDA CBER Office of Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy.
Additionally, there will be discussion on how “homologous use” with cell products could be demonstrated (i.e. what animal model data or scientific evidence could be generated that clearly indicates the biological mechanism responsible for the clinical efficacy is an inherent, well-understood property of the cells).
11:00-11:15 – Industry Presentation (Lizabeth J. Cardwell; Shelly Heimfeld, PhD)
11:15-11:45 – Discussion
11:45-11:55 – Future Meetings
· Identification of date, topics, format, etc. for next meetings
11:55-12:00 – Conclusion (Stephen Noga, MD, PhD)
Invitee List
(Those shaded in grey did not attend)
AABB
American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB)
American Society for Apheresis (ASFA)
American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT)
American Society of Gene Therapy (ASGT)
American Society of Hematology (ASH)
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
Cell Transplant Society (Cell Tx)
Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT)
International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (IPITA)
International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (ISBTC)
National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health (NHLBI NIH)
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)
Production Assistance for Cellular Therapy (PACT)
Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS)
United States Pharmacopoeia (USP)
MEETING SUMMARY
Attendees were welcomed by Steven Noga, Chair of the Cell Therapy Liaison Meeting, and the meeting was called to order at 8:00am.
IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION OF CELL PORDUCTS
Presentation by Phil Brown
Mr. Phil Brown, Quintiles Consulting, presented an overview of regulations of the major exporting European countries (see presentation 1).
Current Situation (January, 2007)
Phil Brown noted that there are two regulatory platforms in Europe: one for medical devices and one for medicinal products, with the difference being in the “primary mode of action” of the product, and its “intended purpose”. Tissue Engineering, Cell Therapy, gene therapy, biotech products will generally fall under the pharmaceutical regulations however. With medical devices, the manufacturer most often meets a set of standards in order to satisfy a prescriptive set of “Essential Requirements”, after which he can affix a CE Mark for sales and marketing throughout the European Union. Medicinal products are regulated and approved by EMEA (European Medicines Agency) and Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP). As it is difficult to pin down the mode of action of cells and tissues (regardless of viability), the regulation of these products is usually deferred to the national level:
· Ireland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Portugal generally consider tissue or cell products as pharmaceutical products
· UK, Netherlands, and Denmark recognize that there are not pan-European regulations
· Switzerland has medical device regulations that cover tissue and cell products
· France and Italy have their own unique regulations
Ultimately, manufacturers are facing different regulations in different countries (there are inconsistencies across both geographic and scientific platforms). As a result, there are even local hot-spots for regulations and investment as is seen in Germany, where individual cities or provinces have their own regulations.
Situation During 2007
“Procurement Directive” – Tissue/Cell Directive (2004/23/EC)
This Directive was developed and published by the DG (Direcorate Generale) SANCO as an umbrella directive, that has now been sub-divided for further clarification to;
· Donation, procurement, and testing of human tissues and cells (2006/17/EC)
· Processing, preservation, storage and distribution of human tissues & cells (2006/86/EC)
If a hospital deals with whole organs or tissues, it needs to follow all of 2004/23/EC. The 2004/23 was to be put in place by April 2006, with a grace period. Very few countries have adopted the 2004/23 into their own national regulations up until January 2007, but this is an ongoing process.
In any event, manufacturers of human tissue products must comply with 2006/17 and potentially the processing preservation etc., components 2006/86 if there are no other regulations to follow. It is likely that in the future however, a manufacturer will only be requested to follow 2006/17/EC, as those aspects of 2006/86/EC will be covered by the ATMP regulations or the medical device directive 93/42/EEC. Again however, consideration will need to be given to the “mode of action” and “intended purpose” of the product.
It is important to note however, that for manufacturers, in the absence of any other regulations, all of 2004/23/EC will apply.
ATMP Regulation (Post 2007)
ATMP regulation is the proposed legislation for human tissue products. There is however, still a potential gap between the this and the two other directives for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Importantly the ATMP is for Medicinal Products, and therefore advanced therapies (tissue engineering, cell therapy, gene therapy) will be reviewed by a new review committee called the Committee for Advanced Therapies (CAT) within the EMEA.
Ongoing Discussion
The ATMP will cover tissue engineering through gene therapy products – anything from non-viable bone chips, skin products through to highly sophisticated gene therapy. However, the scope of the regulations is still in debate. Phil Brown noted that non-viable human products (human collagen etc.) are however, likely to be considered as a medical devices, with Anything that is viable being covered by the ATMP. The ATMP will be voted on at EU parliament at the end of April 2007.
ATMP would likely give exemptions to hospitals working with human tissue and supplying tissue at a local level and according to prescription.
Areas of ongoing discussion include:
· who should be within the CAT to ensure effective representation
· length of transition period (there is discussion of a two to four year grace period for existing product manufacturers
· how to deal with combination products
It is expect that a final document will be available by the end of 2007, with implementation in early 2008.
Questions
Dr. Celia Witten asked for specific examples of where cord blood might end up and where de-cellularized skin could end up. Phil Brown responded that blood products are regulated under a separate regulation. Medical device regulation would cover ancillary human products that enable devices. At the moment, de-cellularized skin would be considered a non-viable product, which would be regulated (or not) at the national level. Then nationally, it would be determined if the product is a medical device, a pharmaceutical etc. The actual donation, procurement and testing would fall under 2006/17.
Ms. Kathy Loper asked for and received clarification that umbilical cord blood would be falling under the blood product regulation.
Dr. Shelly Heimfeld asked how imported products would be handled. Phil Brown responded that presently product manufacturers in Europe all manufacture according to different guidelines (Germany uses GMP guidelines, UK uses Quality guidelines etc.). The US manufacturers would be facing some of the same issues that the Europeans do. Furthermore, a US company could export to the UK and then once the product is in Europe, it is relatively easy to distribute across Europe.
Dr. Scott Rowley asked if Phil Brown would address simple BMT products, specifically if there is regulation of bone marrow, cord blood or peripheral blood cells. Phil Brown noted that the new ATMP rules include some definitions of what constitutes manipulation of cell products. It is very similar to the rules for these products in the US (i.e. need to consider whether the product is being put on the market, whether the product is being manipulated etc.).
Presentation by Scott Brubaker, CTBS
Mr. Scott Brubaker, AATB, presented an overview of importing/exporting “conventional” HCT/Ps (see presentation 2).
Import of “Conventional” HCT/Ps
Scott Brubaker described “conventional” tissue banks (an FDA term from the preamble to the CGTP Final Rule used to describe the type of tissue bank that follows AATB Standards for Tissue Banking) as well as the types of “conventional” HCT/Ps. AATB standards that pertain to the import/export of “conventional” HCT/Ps were reviewed in detail. Scott Brubaker noted that the import of “conventional” HCT/Ps does not occur very often (for contract processing only; or for processing and distribution within the US or for export). Problems experienced at port of entry for imported HCT/Ps were described and specific examples were presented.
Export of Processed “Conventional” HCT/Ps
Scott Brubaker also discussed the export of processed “conventional” HCT/Ps, describing the types of tissues that are generally exported, noting that export occurs to approximately 40 countries. He stated that tissue types that are in short supply are not exported unless they are supplied for processing by that country. Again, problems experienced at the port of export were described and specific examples presented.
International Regulations in Development Re: Importation
Scott Brubaker discussed the various international regulations that are in development regarding the importation of HCT/Ps, specifically the European Union Commission Directive, Health Canada regulations, and UK regulations.
Presentation by Phyllis Warkentin, MD
Dr. Phyllis Warkentin, University of Nebraska Medical Center, presented an overview of the 3rd Edition of FACT-NetCord Cord Blood Standards and an update on accreditation of sites outside of the US (see presentation 3).
FACT/JACIE Standards
Dr. Warkentin noted that the 3rd Edition of the FACT-NetCord standards have been published in the last few months. She presented a history of both FACT and JACIE and listed the various countries that participate in JACIE. Currently, 151 sites are FACT accredited (US and Canada) and 34 sites are JACIE accredited (non-US).
FACT –JACIE international standards apply to hematopoietic progenitor cells from any tissue source and therapeutic cells (nucleated cells other than HPC). They cover all phases of collection, processing, administration (excluding collection and banking of cord blood cells) and require all clinical, collection and laboratory facilities to develop and maintain a comprehensive Quality Management Plan, evaluate and report outcomes, and comply with applicable laws.
The significant changes in the 3rd Edition are as follows:
· Restructured document to make sections parallel
· Expanded quality management throughout
· Regulatory requirements (FDA and EU)
· Redefined numbers requirements
· Expanded requirements for pediatric competencies
· Incorporate recommendation for ISBT128 terminology and labeling
NetCord-FACT Standards
The NetCord-FACT standards cover all phases of cord blood collection, processing, testing, banking, selection, and release. They require all cord blood banks (CBB) to maintain a comprehensive Quality Management Program, utilize validated methods, supplies, reagents, equipment, maintain product tracking, maintain details of clinical outcome, and comply with applicable laws. CBB must have a process to address every standard.
The significant changes in the 3rd Edition are as follows:
· Provisions for private (directed) banking
o Most standards are identical – quality units required
o Non-fixed collection sites
· Documented informed consent for collection (at least) required prior to collection
· Requirements in event of cessation of operations:
o Maintain inventory, capacity to distribute
o Document continued competency of staff prior to restart
o Maintain contractual obligations with donor families
· Inclusion of QM/other standards to meet regulatory requirements – FDA, EU
· Clarify testing requirements
· CB unit storage temperature <-150C.
All FACT-NetCord accreditation takes place through the US-based Office. Currently 11 cord blood banks are FACT-NetCord accredited, with 4 of those being non-US based.
Applicable International Regulations
Dr. Warkentin described the applicable international regulations and discussed international accreditation issues such as:
· Language translation when CBB does not function in English:
· Testing for diseases uncommon in a specific country or that is not part of the routine for normal blood donors from that country.
· Labeling differences, particularly the use of the Biohazard label
Presentation by Karen Shoos-Lipton, JD
Ms. Karen Shoos-Lipton, CEO, AABB, presented an overview of AABB accreditation of sites outside of the US (see presentation 4). AABB has accredited 147 HPC and UCB facilities, with 17 outside the US
The AABB Standards Program
· Has a well defined infrastructure
· Process includes experts in the field, Ethicists, public, FDA and other orgs
· Has established timelines for updates
· Allows for interim and emergent standards
· Requires member and public comment period
· Standards developed in FDA regulated climate
The AABB Accreditation Program
· Well established program - 50 yrs.
· Designed to operate in a regulated climate
· Policies guide program
· Operates under internationally accepted standards for accrediting bodies
· Accreditation based on assessment of conformance to standards
The AABB international accreditation process is the same for all facilities with some international variances (applying to US specific details which other countries cannot meet such as testing) that are not routinely granted.
Overall, AABB Standards comply with FDA GTPs and apply to imported products.
Karen Shoos-Lipton noted that the EU is also struggling with similar issues and that steps are being undertaken to address some of these. The Alliance for Harmonisation of Cellular Therapy Accreditation (AHCTA) is a multi-organizational group that has formed to begin work on this. The first project will be minimum import and export requirements.
Presentation by Fran Rabe