FDA finalizes guidances for Next Generation Sequencing Tests

On April 12, the FDA finalized two guidances designed to enhance collaboration among researchers, and drive the efficient development of novel next generation sequencing (NGS)-based tests. The guidances outline innovative regulatory approaches for the oversight of medical technologies that play an important role in the continued advancement of individualized, genetic-based medicine. The first guidance, “Use of Public Human Genetic Variant Databases to Support Clinical Validity for Genetic and Genomic-Based In Vitro Diagnostics,” describes an approach where test developers may rely on clinical evidence from FDA-recognized public databases to support clinical claims for their tests and provide assurance of the accurate clinical evaluation of genomic test results. Using FDA-recognized databases will provide test developers with an efficient path for marketing clearance or approval of a new test. The second guidance, “Considerations for Design, Development, and Analytical Validation of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)–Based In Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) Intended to Aid in the Diagnosis of Suspected Germline Diseases,” provides recommendations for designing, developing, and validating NGS-based tests used to diagnose individuals with suspected genetic diseases.  It clarifies how the FDA evaluates premarket submissions to determine a test’s analytical validity, including how well it detects the presence or absence of a particular genomic change. On Thursday, May 24 from 2:00 – 3:30PM ET, the FDA will host a webinar for product developers, database administrators, and others interested in learning more about these final guidances. More information about the webinar is available at http://www.fda.gov/CDRHwebinar. Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health