EMA Non-Clinical Data Requirements for Human Polyvalent Immunoglobulins

By Rhizome Team

For pharmaceutical companies developing human polyvalent immunoglobulin products, understanding the European Medicines Agency's approach to non-clinical toxicity data requirements is essential for efficient regulatory strategy. These plasma-derived products present unique regulatory challenges due to their human origin and established clinical experience.

The EMA's acceptance of reduced or alternative non-clinical data packages for immunoglobulins can significantly impact development timelines and costs. Knowing which types of studies are typically required, waived, or justified through alternative approaches helps sponsors design appropriate development programs.

This analysis examines EMA assessment reports and guidelines to identify what non-clinical data the agency has accepted for toxicity assessment of medicinal products consisting of human polyvalent immunoglobulins, including specific examples and rationales for study omissions.

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What non-clinical data has EMA accepted for the assessment of the toxicity of medicinal products consisting of human polyvalent immunoglobulins?

Answer

Certainly! Here is a comprehensive, consolidated answer to the question:


What non-clinical data has EMA accepted for the assessment of the toxicity of medicinal products consisting of human polyvalent immunoglobulins?

Overview

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has generally accepted a minimal and highly justified set of non-clinical toxicity data for medicinal products consisting of human polyvalent immunoglobulins. This approach is based on the products’ nature as naturally occurring human proteins with extensive clinical experience and established safety profiles, as well as the limited predictive value and feasibility of animal studies due to immunogenicity and lack of relevant animal models.

Key Principles and Rationale

  • Limited Value of Animal Studies:
    Animal models often mount immune responses to human proteins, making interpretation of toxicity data unreliable. The EMA and ICH S6 guidelines recognize that animal studies may be impractical or not meaningful for these products 511.
  • Reliance on Clinical Data and Product History:
    The EMA places significant weight on clinical data and the established safety record of these products, often superseding the need for extensive preclinical studies 411.
  • Case-by-Case Approach:
    The extent of non-clinical data required is determined individually, especially when manufacturing changes occur or when comparability to an existing product is in question 8131417.

Types of Non-Clinical Data Accepted

Study TypeAccepted/RequiredRationale/Notes
Single-dose toxicity (in animals)Yes (limited)Sometimes performed in rodents; deaths, if any, due to volume overload, not substance toxicity 2622
Repeat-dose toxicityNot requiredOmitted due to immunogenicity and limited relevance 26112022
Pharmacokinetics (PK)Sometimes limitedComparative PK studies in animals may be performed for comparability, but standard PK studies are generally omitted 251722
Safety pharmacologyLimitedSome studies (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory) may be performed; no significant concerns found 22
GenotoxicityNot required (for product)Not expected for human proteins; sometimes performed for excipients (e.g., Ames test for residual solvents/detergents) 622
CarcinogenicityNot requiredOmitted; not expected for plasma-derived immunoglobulins 6112022
Reproductive/developmental toxicityNot requiredOmitted; not expected for plasma-derived immunoglobulins 6112022
Local toleranceSometimesPerformed in some cases (e.g., rabbits), especially for new excipients or formulations 5
Immunogenicity assessmentLimitedAnimal models not predictive; assessment mainly clinical 18
Risk assessment of impurities, leachables, excipientsYes (literature or in vitro)Toxicological risk assessment expected; literature data or in vitro studies often suffice 61820
Use of literature and data from similar productsYesAccepted to support safety, especially for excipients and impurities 61620

Justification for Omission of Certain Studies

  • Repeat-dose, reproductive, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and local tolerance studies are generally not required for human polyvalent immunoglobulins, justified by:
    • Immunogenicity in animals,
    • The product’s endogenous human origin,
    • Extensive clinical experience and established safety profile,
    • Lack of pharmacological relevance in animal models 2611152022.

Comparability and Manufacturing Changes

  • When manufacturing changes occur, the EMA may require limited non-clinical studies (e.g., comparative PK studies) to demonstrate comparability, but not full toxicity programs. If physico-chemical and biological comparability is established, further non-clinical or clinical studies may not be needed 8131417.

Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA)

  • For products consisting of amino acids or proteins unlikely to pose environmental risks, the EMA may accept a justification for not conducting ERA studies 19.

Examples from Product Assessments

  • Kiovig: Single-dose toxicity in rodents, limited PK studies, no repeat-dose or reproductive toxicity studies, genotoxicity testing for excipients, and safety pharmacology studies 222.
  • Flebogamma DIF: No non-clinical toxicity studies required; reliance on clinical data 411.
  • ImmunoGam: No full toxicology program; single-dose toxicity in mice; literature data for excipients; no repeat-dose, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, or reproductive toxicity studies 620.

Summary Table

ScenarioNon-clinical data accepted/requiredSource
Standard product (no major changes)Generally not required41115
Manufacturing change (comparability)May require limited studies (e.g., PK)8131417
Well-established use (bibliographic app.)Bibliographic data may suffice16

Conclusion

The EMA generally does not require standard non-clinical toxicity studies for medicinal products consisting of human polyvalent immunoglobulins. Instead, the agency relies on clinical experience, bibliographic data, and, in cases of manufacturing changes, may request limited non-clinical studies focused on comparability (such as PK studies), rather than full toxicity assessments. The minimal non-clinical data package is justified by the endogenous nature of the products, their established safety record, and the limitations of animal models for human proteins 2456811131415161718192022.


References
2 EMA Assessment Report: Kiovig
4 EMA Assessment Report: Flebogamma DIF
5 EMA Assessment Report: Hizentra (IgPro20)
6 EMA Assessment Report: ImmunoGam
8 EMA Guideline Comments on IVIg
11 EMA Assessment Report: Flebogammadif
131417 ICH Q5E Guideline and EMA Guideline Comments on Comparability
15 EMA Immunogenicity Guideline
16 EMA Well-Established Use Guideline
1819 EMA Guidelines on Non-Clinical Requirements for Biologicals
2022 EMA Assessment Reports: ImmunoGam, Kiovig

(References correspond to those cited in the original answers and have been merged where appropriate.)