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Alternate approaches for pediatric type 1 diabetes drug development and potential regulatory approval: a perspective
J Rick Turner1, Kelly L Close2, G Alexander Fleming3
1Diabetes and Pediatric Centers of Excellence, Quintiles, Durham, NC rick.turner@quintiles.com.
Insights
Pediatric type 1 diabetes is rising globally. This perspective addresses challenges and offers solutions for getting new diabetes therapies and devices approved for children, incorporating patient insights.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Pharmaceutical Development
Background:
- Global incidence and prevalence of pediatric type 1 diabetes are increasing.
- Barriers hinder the availability of new diabetes therapies and devices for children.
- Newer insulins are approved, but challenges remain for pediatric clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and propose solutions for challenges in bringing new drugs for pediatric type 1 diabetes to market.
- To address hurdles in including children in clinical studies for type 1 diabetes prevention therapies.
- To incorporate patient perspectives alongside scientific and regulatory considerations.
Main Methods:
- Review of current challenges in pediatric drug development for type 1 diabetes.
- Analysis of regulatory and scientific considerations for pediatric studies.
- Inclusion of patient perspectives in evaluating solutions.
Main Results:
- Specific barriers identified in pediatric clinical trial inclusion and drug approval processes.
- Potential solutions proposed to streamline access to novel diabetes treatments for children.
- Emphasis on the importance of patient-centered approaches in pediatric research.
Conclusions:
- Addressing identified challenges is crucial for timely access to innovative diabetes care for pediatric patients.
- Integrating patient insights can improve the relevance and success of pediatric type 1 diabetes research.
- Collaborative efforts are needed to overcome regulatory and scientific hurdles in pediatric drug development.
Abstract:
The incidence and prevalence of pediatric type 1 diabetes are increasing globally, including in the U.S. While the increasing number of cases of pediatric diabetes makes expeditious availability of new medical products and therapies for diabetes care essential, there have been many barriers encountered in bringing some drugs and devices to pediatric patients who may benefit. Newer insulins have been studied and approved for use in children. However, hurdles exist in the inclusion of children in studies of therapies aimed at preventing β-cell loss in those with new-onset diabetes and those at risk for type 1 diabetes. This Perspective focuses on potential solutions to the challenges experienced in bringing new drugs for pediatric type 1 diabetes to marketing approval. Given their central importance as the users of medical products, patient perspectives are included along with scientific and regulatory considerations.
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