Important news. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf outlined two draft guidance documents addressing regulatory approval of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based diagnostics. The guidances were presented as part of an update on the White House's Precision Medicine Initiative, which is recruiting a cohort of 1 million volunteers for a longitudinal research study.
The first guidance, titled "Use of Standards in FDA's Regulatory Oversight of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based In Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) Used for Diagnosing Germline Diseases," describes FDA-recognized standards to demonstrate test accuracy and provides recommendations for designing, developing and validating NGS-based tests for hereditary diseases.
FDA said a second guidance, titled "Use of Public Human Genetic Variant Databases to Support Clinical Validity for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based In Vitro Diagnostics" outlines "an easier path for marketing clearance or approval" of NGS tests that would allow developers to use genomic databases to support clinical claims.
Per a report in BioCentury, “Califf said the draft guidances are meant to strike a balance between encouraging innovation and supporting patient safety.” FDA will accept comments on the guidance for 90 days.
The first guidance, titled "Use of Standards in FDA's Regulatory Oversight of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based In Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) Used for Diagnosing Germline Diseases," describes FDA-recognized standards to demonstrate test accuracy and provides recommendations for designing, developing and validating NGS-based tests for hereditary diseases.
FDA said a second guidance, titled "Use of Public Human Genetic Variant Databases to Support Clinical Validity for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based In Vitro Diagnostics" outlines "an easier path for marketing clearance or approval" of NGS tests that would allow developers to use genomic databases to support clinical claims.
Per a report in BioCentury, “Califf said the draft guidances are meant to strike a balance between encouraging innovation and supporting patient safety.” FDA will accept comments on the guidance for 90 days.
