IND Application

IND Application

Drafts a complete IND application under 21 CFR Part 312 for FDA authorization to begin human clinical trials.

Prerequisites

Collect before drafting:

1. Drug substance/product info — chemical name, code designation, structural formula, mechanism of action
2. Nonclinical reports — pharmacology, toxicology, PK/PD data
3. CMC data — manufacturing process, specifications, stability, certificates of analysis
4. Clinical protocol(s) — design, objectives, endpoints, statistical analysis plan
5. Investigator info — CVs, Form FDA 1572, clinical site details
6. Prior human experience (if any) — foreign trials, literature, compassionate use
7. IRB documentation — approval letters or submission plans, informed consent forms

Quick Start

1. Confirm trial phase (I/II/III) — this drives CMC depth and nonclinical requirements
2. Complete Form 1571 cover sheet
3. Draft sections in 21 CFR 312.23(a) order (see below)
4. Cross-reference all nonclinical citations to specific IND sections
5. Run checklists for Form 1571, IB, protocol, and environmental assessment

IND Section Order (21 CFR 312.23(a))

Key Checklists

Form 1571

• [ ] Sponsor name, address, contact
• [ ] Drug name and code designations
• [ ] Trial phase (I, II, III)
• [ ] IND number (amendment) or "Initial"
• [ ] Serial number
• [ ] Indication(s) under investigation
• [ ] List of enclosed sections
• [ ] Authorized signature with date

Investigator's Brochure

• [ ] Physical/chemical/pharmaceutical properties
• [ ] Nonclinical pharmacology summary
• [ ] Nonclinical PK and metabolism
• [ ] Nonclinical toxicology (tabulate: species, route, duration, NOAEL, findings)
• [ ] Clinical experience summary (if applicable)
• [ ] Known/anticipated adverse effects and precautions

Clinical Protocol

• [ ] Title, protocol number, version/date
• [ ] Primary and secondary objectives
• [ ] Study design and phase
• [ ] Inclusion/exclusion criteria
• [ ] Dosing regimen with rationale
• [ ] Efficacy and safety endpoints
• [ ] Stopping rules and dose-limiting toxicity definitions
• [ ] Safety monitoring plan (AE reporting, DSMB if applicable)
• [ ] Statistical analysis plan with sample size justification

Phase-Appropriate CMC Depth

Nonclinical Study Table Format

For each study, tabulate: study type, test facility (with GLP status), species/strain, route, dose levels, duration, NOAEL/NOEL, key findings, relevance to clinical dose.

Environmental Assessment

• Most INDs qualify for categorical exclusion under 21 CFR 25.31(e)
• If claiming exclusion: cite the specific 21 CFR 25 provision with basis statement
• If exclusion does not apply: prepare assessment per 21 CFR Part 25 Subpart B

Pitfalls and Checks

• Verify FDA forms — retrieve current Form 1571/1572 from fda.gov; versions update periodically
• Phase-appropriate CMC — do not over-document Phase I or under-document Phase III
• Cross-reference internally — protocol references to nonclinical data must cite specific IND section/page
• GLP compliance — pivotal safety studies require 21 CFR Part 58; flag and justify any non-GLP studies
• No promotional language — avoid unsupported efficacy claims; this is a scientific/regulatory document
• Safety-first framing — every section must demonstrate adequate basis for protecting human subjects
• Confidential info — mark trade secrets per 21 CFR 312.130 if sponsor requests
• eCTD format — for electronic submissions, organize per FDA eCTD Module 1–5 structure
• Pre-IND feedback — if a Type B pre-IND meeting occurred, address each FDA comment explicitly