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Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) are becoming the new kid on the block for the treatment of a variety of indications with promising results. Despite the academic contribution to the basic and clinical research of ATMPs, undertaking a full product development process is extraordinarily challenging and demanding for academic institutions. Meeting regulatory requirements is probably the most challenging aspect of academic development, considering the limited experience and resources compared with pharmaceutical companies. This review aims to outline the key aspects to be considered when developing novel ATMPs from an academic perspective, based on the results of our own experience and interaction with the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) and European Medicine Agency (EMA) related to a number of academic ATMP initiatives carried out at our center during the last 5 years. Emphasis is placed on understanding the regulatory requirements during the early phases of the drug development process, particularly for the preparation of a Clinical Trial Application. Academic centers usually lack expertise in product-related documentation (such as the Investigational Medicinal Product Dossier), and therefore, early interaction with regulators is crucial to understand their requirements and receive guidance to comply with them. Insights are shared on managing quality, nonclinical, clinical, and risk and benefit documentation, based on our own experience and challenges. This review aims to empower academic and clinical settings by providing crucial regulatory knowledge to smooth the regulatory journey of ATMPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Albuminuria as a surrogate marker for drug development: A European Regulatory perspective. Clinical trials with surrogate end points generally require smaller sample sizes and shorter duration than those with clinical outcomes. However, in practice, surrogate end points are likely to result in less comprehensive conclusions than ‘outcome’ end points as they sometimes reflect only partial aspects of complex phenomena. A number of conditions help to establish the validity of a particular variable as predictive of clinical outcome. This article discusses to what extent albuminuria fulfills these requisites in two particular clinical scenarios: prevention of renal deterioration and prevention of cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: On 13 July 2011 the European Commission issued a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union (EU) for ipilimumab for the treatment of advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma in adults who have received prior therapy. Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically blocks the inhibitory signal of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), resulting in T cell activation, proliferation and lymphocyte infiltration into tumours, leading to tumour cell death. The recommended induction regimen of ipilimumab is 3mg/kg administered intravenously over a 90min period every 3weeks for a total of four doses. In a phase 3 trial in patients with advanced melanoma, median overall survival for ipilimumab was 10months versus 6months for gp100, an experimental melanoma vaccine (Hazard ratio (HR) 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51, 0.87; p =0.0026). Ipilimumab was most commonly associated with adverse reactions resulting from increased or excessive immune activity. Most of these, including severe reactions, resolved following initiation of appropriate medical therapy or withdrawal of ipilimumab. The most common side-effects (affecting more than 10% of patients) were diarrhoea, rash, pruritus, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite and abdominal pain. The objective of this paper is to summarise the scientific review of the application leading to approval in the EU. The detailed scientific assessment report and product information, including the summary of product characteristics (SmPC), are available on the European Medicines Agency (EMA) website (www.ema.europa.eu). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Thrombotic events (coronary thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, intraventricular thrombosis, intracranial and systemic thromboembolism) occur frequently in patients with heart failure. These events may be precipitated by several mechanisms including hypercoagulability through enhancement of procoagulant reactions, impairment of the protein C pathway, protease activated receptor (PAR) activation, adenosine-mediated thrombosis, or neurohormonal activation; stasis secondary to low cardiac output; and endothelial dysfunction from neurohormonal activation or systemic inflammation. Pathophysiologic evidence and analyses of retrospective data support the hypothesis that antithrombotic agents may improve outcomes in patients with heart failure. Warfarin has not been shown to reduce clinical events in patients with heart failure, although several of the completed randomized trials were underpowered, and the most recent was not placebo-controlled. Many unanswered questions remain that justify continued research in this area. This paper examines the conceptual framework, opportunities, and challenges of clinical investigative approaches with the newer anti-thrombotic agents in patients with heart failure. Critical questions are raised with regard to clinical trial designs that warrant consideration as the field progresses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]