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FDA Updates Bioresearch Monitoring Technical Specifications for NDAs and BLAs

• The FDA has released an updated Bioresearch Monitoring (BIMO) Technical Conformance Guide, version 3.1.1, providing detailed specifications for the BIMO section of New Drug Applications (NDAs) and Biologics License Applications (BLAs). • The guide standardizes the structure and format of clinical trial data submissions, ensuring transparency and facilitating FDA's review process, particularly during BIMO inspections. • Key areas covered in the document include clinical study-level information, subject-level data line listings by clinical site, and a summary-level clinical site data set, all crucial for data integrity assurance. • The technical document outlines how to categorize and document the location of clinical trial data, aiding FDA investigators in efficiently locating raw data across various sites, including clinical sites and CROs.

The FDA has issued an updated version of the Bioresearch Monitoring Technical Conformance Guide: Technical Specifications Document (version 3.1.1) in September 2024. This document provides detailed guidance on structuring the Bioresearch Monitoring (BIMO) section of New Drug Applications (NDAs) and Biologics License Applications (BLAs). The guide aims to standardize the submission process, ensuring data transparency and facilitating efficient review by the FDA.

Importance of the BIMO Technical Specifications

The BIMO section is a critical communication tool within an NDA or BLA, particularly Module 5 of the Common Technical Document (CTD), which focuses on clinical trial data. NDAs and BLAs are extensive submissions with significant cross-referencing between sections and large volumes of raw data. The clinical module encompasses studies, protocols, efficacy data, safety data, statistical evaluations, and claims. Accurate and transparent referencing of all data is essential for FDA review.

Key Components of the BIMO Submission

The technical document is divided into four major sections, each addressing a specific aspect of clinical trial data submission:
  1. Clinical Study Level Information: This section requires a comprehensive list of all clinical sites involved in the submission, including pivotal studies and other relevant trials. It details study protocols, site activity status, and locations of essential documents such as monitoring plans, training records, and data analysis plans.
  2. Subject Level Data Line Listings By Clinical Site: This section focuses on individual patient data within each trial. It includes details on consented subjects, treatment assignments, discontinuations, study population characteristics, inclusion/exclusion criteria, adverse events, protocol deviations, efficacy endpoints, concomitant medications, and safety monitoring results. The FDA emphasizes organizing information by study, even when sites or investigators are involved in multiple trials.
  3. Summary Level Clinical Site Data Set: This section requires a consolidated data set containing information from all major studies supporting the safety and efficacy of the application. Data should be presented by clinical site and treatment arm for both the safety population (SAFPOP) and the primary efficacy population (EFFPOP). Key variables include the total number of patients in each arm, summary statistics of the primary efficacy endpoint, and descriptions of each treatment arm.
  4. Submitting BIMO Clinical Data In The eCTD Format: The summaries and files must be incorporated into Module 5 in the appropriate sections. The actual construction of each file with hyperlinks is required. These must be positioned in the correct folder with prescribed titles that are included in FDA guidance documents on submission of NDAs and BLAs via the portal. The constructed BIMO study tagging file is placed in the eCTD module 5.3.5.4 “Other Study Reports and related information” section with the study identifier “BIMO.”

BIMO Inspections and Data Integrity

Post-submission, the FDA conducts BIMO inspections to ensure that the submitted data is supported by raw data at the source, thus assuring data integrity. These inspections require FDA investigators to efficiently locate raw data for each study. Unlike pre-approval inspections (PAIs) for manufacturing sites, BIMO inspections involve data located across multiple clinical sites, CROs, and corporate locations. Accurate categorization and documentation of data location are crucial for facilitating these inspections.

Electronic Submission and eCTD Format

The technical document provides specifications for submitting BIMO clinical data in the electronic Common Technical Document (eCTD) format. This includes guidance on file formats, leaf titles, and submission strategies. The BIMO study tagging file is placed in the eCTD module 5.3.5.4 “Other Study Reports and related information” section with the study identifier “BIMO.” The document also describes the required folder structure for organizing the submission.

Implications for Drug Developers

Adherence to the BIMO Technical Conformance Guide is essential for drug developers seeking NDA or BLA approval. Accurate and well-organized submissions streamline the FDA review process, reduce the risk of delays, and ensure data integrity. Drug developers should consult the latest FDA guidances and publications to stay informed of any updates or changes to the BIMO requirements.
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Reference News

[1]
FDA Issues Bioresearch Monitoring Technical Specifications Document To Help You ...
clinicalleader.com · Oct 18, 2024

FDA issued Bioresearch Monitoring Technical Conformance Guide v3.1 in Sept 2024, detailing BIMO section structure in NDA...

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