Animal efficacy rule

The FDA Animal Efficacy Rule (also known as Animal Rule) applies to development and testing of drugs and biologicals to reduce or prevent serious/life-threatening conditions caused by exposure to lethal or permanently disabling toxic agents (chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear substances), where human efficacy trials are not feasible or ethical.^[1] The animal efficacy rule was finalized by the FDA and authorized by the United States Congress in 2002, following the September 11 attacks and concerns regarding bioterrorism.^[2]

Summary

The FDA can rely on evidence from animal studies to provide substantial evidence of product effectiveness when:

• 1: There is a reasonably well-understood mechanism for the toxicity of the agent and its amelioration or prevention by the product;
• 2: The effect is demonstrated in either:
  • 2.1: More than one animal species expected to react with a response predictive for humans; or
  • 2.2: One well-characterized animal species model (adequately evaluated for its responsiveness in humans) for predicting the response in humans.
• 3: The animal study endpoint is clearly related to the desired benefit in humans; and
• 4: Data or information on the pharmaco-kinetics and pharmaco–dynamics of the product or other relevant data or information in animals or humans is sufficiently well understood to allow selection of an effective dose in humans, and it is therefore reasonable to expect the effectiveness of the product in animals to be a reliable indicator of its effectiveness in humans.

FDA published a Guidance for Industry on the Animal Rule in October 2015.^[3]

References

1. Snoy, PJ (September 2010). "Establishing efficacy of human products using animals: the US food and drug administration's 'animal rule'". Veterinary Pathology. 47 (5): 774–8. doi:10.1177/0300985810372506. PMID 20551476.
2. Levine, GH; Handwerker, JL (2011). "Development of countermeasures for bioterrorism in the United States". In Gad, SC. Development of Therapeutic Agents Handbook. John Wiley & Sons. p. 231. ISBN 978-1-118-07711-5.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) / Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). Product Development Under the Animal Rule, Guidance for Industry. October 2015

External links

• 21 CFR Parts 314 and 601, Docket No. 98N-0237 New Drug and Biological Drug Products; Evidence Needed to Demonstrate Effectiveness of New Drugs When Human Efficacy Studies Are Not Ethical or Feasible.
• What is meant by "Required Under: Animal Efficacy Rule" in the search results display? FDA.gov Postmarketing Requirements and Commitments: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)