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  1. Science and Research | Drugs

Scientific Public Private Partnerships and Consortia

Find out how CDER works with partners and consortia to identify science gaps in drug development

The Importance of Partnerships and Consortia
Importance of Partnerships  Podcast Transcript
FDA works with partners and consortia to help identify scientific gaps in drug development. Find out how these relationship improve FDA’s ability to review drugs.

The Role of Scientific Consortia in Drug Development

Background Information

The Critical Path Initiative (CPI), and the Strategic Plan for Advancing Regulatory Science Initiative seek to help modernize the development, evaluation, manufacture and use of FDA regulated products. Through collaborations with other government agencies, global organizations, academia, industry, patient advocacy groups, and other stakeholders, these initiatives promote the development of new tools, methods and approaches to foster innovation and bring efficiency into the FDA regulated product development. Examples include novel biomarkers, imaging tools, clinical outcome assessment instruments, clinical trial considerations for unmet needs, laboratory assays, genetic tests, and state-of-the art information technology, animal and in-silico models, etc. In this collaborative effort, FDA plays the role of a facilitator in the creation of partnerships and collaborations, and an advisor to support specific scientific projects.

What is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or consortium?

A PPP or a consortium is a collaborative group managed by a convening or coordinating organization involving multiple stakeholder organizations including at least one non-profit or 501(c)(3) organization (e.g., academia, government, or foundation) and at least one for-profit organization (e.g., pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device company). A PPP may involve multiple committees and working groups.  

Janet Woodcock, M.D., Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

Why is CDER involved?

CDER is engaged in a number of PPPs and consortia with other government, academic, scientific, patient, and industry organizations to foster scientific collaborations to support the Critical Path Initiative and activities to advance regulatory science. These efforts encourage the development of new tools to facilitate innovation in medical product development. 

How does CDER benefit from involvement in PPP or consortium activities?

Public health needs and CDER’s review activities often identify gaps in regulatory science that require a coalition of resources, expertise and partnering. A PPP or consortium is established to address issues that are beyond the capacity and resources of a single organization. When CDER engages in a PPP or consortium to address specific regulatory science gaps and needs, CDER staff can keep the focus of the PPP or consortium activities on addressing the regulatory science deliverable, and the products of the partnerships are shared in public domain for a wider uptake.

What is the process for requesting CDER staff engagement in PPP and consortia activities?

For consistency and continuity, CDER has established a process for CDER staff to engage with consortia and PPPs. CDER staff can be appointed by CDER Director to engage in consortia and PPP discussions when the project objectives are viewed to be valuable to CDER’s mission, and where CDER staff has the potential to aid the consortium or PPP in achieving the objectives.

To request CDER staff engagement with a consortium or PPP, the convener should submit a Request for CDER Participation in a Public Private Partnership or Consortium Activity form attached to Manual of Policies and Procedures (MAPP) 4100.2 available on CDER website and send to OTS-PPPCoordinator@fda.hhs.gov.

Critical Path Initiative: The Role of Consortia:

Engagement with PPPs and Consortia:

CDER established the Manual of Policies and Procedures (MAPP) 4100.2, titled, “CDER Staff Participation in Public Private Partnerships and Consortia” to facilitate consistency and continuity throughout CDER as the Center engages in PPPs and consortia. MAPP 4100.2 establishes a process for CDER staff to obtain clearance for participation in these activities, and to obtain appropriate assurances regarding CDER’s terms and conditions for engagement from external organizations with which we engage. The MAPP also defines responsibilities for CDER PPP Liaisons who are engaged with a PPP or consortium convened by an external organization to support scientific projects.

PPPs/Consortia with CDER Staff Participation

For a listing of additional consortia and partnerships compiled by an external group FasterCures, a Center of the Milken Institute, see Consortia-pedia.

For further information or questions contact us at OTS-PPPCoordinator@fda.hhs.gov.

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