IND/INAD/IDE Support

Investigational New Drug (IND)

An IND application must be obtained in order for a sponsor/pharmaceutical company to ship an experimental drug across state lines, usually to clinical investigators involved in a clinical trial. During a new drug’s early development, the sponsor’s primary goal is to determine if the product is reasonably safe for initial use in humans, and if the compound exhibits pharmacological activity that justifies commercial development. When a product is identified as a viable candidate for further development, the sponsor then focuses on collecting the data and information necessary to establish that the product will not expose humans to unreasonable risks when used in limited, early-stage clinical studies.

Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD)

A new animal drug is defined, in part, as any drug intended for use in animals other than man, including any drug intended for use in animal feed but not including the animal feed, the composition of which is such that the drug is not generally recognized as safe and effective for the use under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggest in the labeling of the drug (21 U.S.C. § 321(v)). As mandated by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a new animal drug may not be sold into interstate commerce unless it is the subject of an approved new animal drug application (NADA), abbreviated NADA (ANADA), or there is a conditional approval (CNADA) in effect pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 360ccc.

Investigation Device Exemption (IDE)

An investigational device exemption (IDE) allows the investigational device to be used in a clinical study in order to collect safety and effectiveness data. Clinical studies are most often conducted to support a PMA. Only a small percentage of 510(k)’s require clinical data to support the application. Investigational use also includes clinical evaluation of certain modifications or new intended uses of legally marketed devices. All clinical evaluations of investigational devices, unless exempt, must have an approved IDE before the study is initiated.

Clinical evaluation of devices that have not been cleared for marketing requires:

  • an IDE approved by an institutional review board (IRB). If the study involves a significant risk device, the IDE must also be approved by FDA;
  • informed consent from all patients;
  • labeling for investigational use only
  • monitoring of the study and;
  • required records and reports.

An approved IDE permits a device to be shipped lawfully for the purpose of conducting investigations of the device without complying with other requirements of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that would apply to devices in commercial distribution. Sponsors need not submit a PMA or Premarket Notification 510(k), register their establishment, or list the device while the device is under investigation.

FEDERAL REGULATIONS: