/Phase 1 IND Guidance Documents
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Phase 1 IND Guidance Documents

FDA
2026/06/22

Search for FDA guidance documents relevant to Phase 1 IND submissions using key words and filters. For a comprehensive list of all available FDA Guidance Documents visit Search for FDA Guidance Documents.

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Questions? Contact the Phase 1 Clinical Trials Support Team: Phone: 240-276-9358 Email: [email protected]

Acronyms and Abbreviations

IND

Investigational New Drug application

CMC

Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls

CBER

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research

CDER

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

CDRH

Center for Devices and Radiological Health

CVM

Center for Veterinary Medicine

OCE

Oncology Center of Excellence

ORA

Office of Regulatory Affairs

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Guidance Topic Pre-IND planning Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) IND Submission IND Safety Reporting

Center CDER CBER OCE CDRH CVM ORA

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Guidance Title

Status

Date Published

Guidance Topic

Supplemental Topic(s)

Summary

Center

Q8, Q9, and Q10 Questions and Answers (R5)

Final

May 2026

CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls)

Drugs and biologics; CMC/quality

Clarifies ICH pharmaceutical development, quality risk management, and quality system implementation.

CDER, CBER

M11 Clinical Electronic Structured Harmonised Protocol

Final

May 2026

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Clinical trials; drugs and biologics

Establishes harmonized digital clinical trial protocol structure and exchange standards.

CDER, ORP

Assessing the Effects of Food on Drugs in INDs and NDAs – Clinical Pharmacology Considerations

Final

May 2026

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Oral small-molecule drugs; INDs/NDAs

Recommends food-effect study design for orally administered drugs in INDs and NDAs.

CDER

Development of Non-Opioid Analgesics for Acute Pain

Draft

May 2026

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Acute pain; non-opioid analgesics

Addresses development, labeling claims, and expedited programs for non-opioid acute pain products.

CDER

Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Developing Drugs for Treatment

Final

May 2026

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Antibacterials; pulmonary TB

Assists clinical development of new antibacterial drugs for pulmonary tuberculosis treatment.

CDER

Oncology Pharmaceuticals: Streamlined Nonclinical Safety Studies for Biologics and Conjugated Products

Draft

May 2026

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

Oncology biologics, ADCs, conjugated products

Recommends streamlined nonclinical toxicology approaches to reduce unnecessary animal studies.

OCE

M15 General Principles for Model-Informed Drug Development

Final

June 2026

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Drugs and biologics; MIDD

Provides harmonized planning, evaluation, documentation, and regulatory interaction principles for MIDD.

CDER, CBER

Clostridioides difficile Infection: Developing Drugs for Treatment, Reduction of Recurrence, and Prevention

Final

May 2026

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Anti-infectives; CDI

Supports clinical development for CDI treatment, recurrence reduction, or prevention indications.

CDER

Leveraging Prior Knowledge in the Development of Human Gene Therapy Products Incorporating Genome Editing | FDA

Draft

June 2026

Pre-IND Planning

Biologics and Gene therapy

Recommends using public and platform knowledge to support CMC, nonclinical, and clinical development.

CBER

Considerations for the Design of Early-Phase Clinical Trials of Cellular and Gene Therapy Products | FDA

Final

June 2016

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Cellular therapy and Gene therapy

Provides recommendations for early-phase CGT trials assessing safety, tolerability, and feasibility

CBER

Considerations for the Design of Early-Phase Clinical Trials of Cellular and Gene Therapy Products

Final

June 2015

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Cellular therapy, gene therapy, therapeutic vaccines, some biologic combination products

Early-phase trial design recommendations for safety, feasibility, dosing, population, controls, monitoring, and follow-up.

CBER

Preclinical Assessment of Investigational Cellular and Gene Therapy Products

Final

November 2013

Pre-IND planning

Cellular therapy, gene therapy, therapeutic vaccines, xenotransplantation, certain biologic-device combinations

Preclinical study expectations supporting INDs/BLAs for CGT products before clinical testing.

CBER

Investigational New Drug Applications Prepared and Submitted by Sponsor-Investigators

Draft

May 2015

Pre-IND planning

Sponsor-investigators; drugs and biologics

Explains preparation, submission, and regulatory responsibilities for Sponsor-investigators.

CDER; CBER

Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) — Determining Whether Human Research Studies Can Be Conducted Without an IND

Final

September 2013

Pre-IND planning

Human drug/biologic research; IND exemptions

Clarifies when clinical studies require an IND or qualify for exemption.

CDER; CBER

Formal Meetings Between the FDA and Sponsors or Applicants of PDUFA Products

Draft

September 2023

Pre-IND planning

Small molecules and biologics (PDUFA)

Describes formal FDA meeting types, timelines, packages, and expectations.

CDER; CBER

Investigational New Drug Applications for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Drugs

Final

December 2012

Pre-IND planning

PET imaging drugs; radiopharmaceuticals

Provides IND recommendations specific to investigational PET drug studies.

CDER

Content and Format of Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) for Phase 1 Studies of Drugs, Including Well-Characterized, Therapeutic, Biotechnology-derived Products

Final

November 1995

Pre-IND planning

Phase 1 small molecules and biologics

Recommends Phase 1 IND content, format, and supporting nonclinical information.

CDER; CBER

Best Practices for Communication Between IND Sponsors and FDA During Drug Development

Final

December 2017

Pre-IND planning

All IND sponsors; drugs and biologics

Encourages timely, efficient communication between sponsors and FDA.

CDER

Content and Format of INDs for Phase 1 Studies of Drugs, Including Well-Characterized, Therapeutic, Biotechnology-Derived Products — Questions and Answers

Final

October 2000

Pre-IND planning

Phase 1 INDs; drugs and biologics

Clarifies toxicology submission expectations for early-phase INDs.

CDER; CBER

IND Submissions for Individualized Antisense Oligonucleotide Drug Products for Severely Debilitating or Life-Threatening Diseases: Clinical Recommendations

Draft

December 2021

Pre-IND planning

Individualized ASOs; rare genetic diseases

Provides clinical development recommendations for individualized antisense therapies.

CDER

IND Submissions for Individualized Antisense Oligonucleotide Drug Products: Administrative and Procedural Recommendations

Draft

January 2021

Pre-IND planning

Sponsor-investigators; individualized ASOs

Describes administrative processes for individualized ASO IND submissions.

CDER

IRB Responsibilities for Reviewing the Qualifications of Investigators, Adequacy of Research Sites, and the Determination of Whether an IND/IDE is Needed

Final

August 2013

Pre-IND planning

IRBs; drug and device studies

Clarifies IRB oversight of investigators, sites, and IND/IDE determinations.

CDER; CBER; CDRH

Bioavailability and Bioequivalence Studies Submitted in NDAs or INDs — General Considerations

Draft

March 2014

Pre-IND planning

Small molecules; NDAs and INDs

Recommends conduct and analysis of BA/BE studies.

CDER

Rare Diseases: Early Drug Development and the Role of Pre-IND Meetings

Draft

October 2018

Pre-IND planning

Rare disease drugs and biologics

Discusses early development strategies and value of pre-IND meetings.

CDER; CBER

Oncology Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals: Nonclinical Studies and Labeling Recommendations

Final

August 2019

Pre-IND planning

Oncology radiopharmaceuticals

Recommends nonclinical testing and labeling approaches for therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

CDER

S6(R1) Addendum: Preclinical Safety Evaluation of Biotechnology - Derived Pharmaceuticals

Final

May 2012

Pre-IND planning

Biotechnology-derived biologics

Updates nonclinical safety evaluation principles for biotechnology-derived products.

CDER; CBER

Expedited Programs for Regenerative Medicine Therapies for Serious Conditions

Final

February 2019

Pre-IND planning

Regenerative medicine therapies

Recommendations on expedited development of regenerative therapies

CBER

Considerations for the use of the Plausible Mechanism Framework to Develop Individualized Therapies that Target Specific Genetic Conditions with Known Biological Cause; Draft Guidance for Industry

Draft

February 2026

Pre-IND planning

Individualized therapies targeting specific genetic conditions

Recommendations on generating substantial evidence of effectiveness and safety for individualized therapies based on a plausible mechanism framework

CBER

M3(R2)Nonclinical Safety Studies for the Conduct of Human Clinical Trials and Marketing Authorization for Pharmaceuticals: Questions and Answers

Final

March 2013

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

Pharmaceuticals; small molecules and biologics; clinical trials/marketing authorization

Clarifies implementation questions for ICH M3(R2) nonclinical safety recommendations.

CDER; CBER

M3(R2) Nonclinical Safety Studies for the Conduct of Human Clinical Trials and Marketing Authorization for Pharmaceuticals

Final

January 2010

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

Pharmaceuticals; small molecules and biologics; clinical trials/marketing authorization

Harmonizes nonclinical safety studies supporting clinical trials and marketing applications.

CDER; CBER

Monoclonal Antibodies: Streamlined Nonclinical Safety Studies

Draft

December 2025

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

Monospecific monoclonal antibodies; biologics; long-term safety, DART, juvenile toxicity

Recommends streamlined mAb safety approaches to reduce unnecessary animal testing.

CDER

S9 Nonclinical Evaluation for Anticancer Pharmaceuticals

Final

March 2010

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

Anticancer pharmaceuticals; advanced disease and limited therapeutic options

Recommends nonclinical programs for anticancer drug development in advanced disease.

CDER; CBER

S9 Nonclinical Evaluation for Anticancer Pharmaceuticals—Questions and Answers

Final

June 2018

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

Anticancer pharmaceuticals; ICH S9 implementation

Clarifies ICH S9 implementation and supports 3Rs animal-use principles.

CDER; CBER

Oncology Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals: Nonclinical Studies and Labeling Recommendations

Final

August 2019

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

Systemic oncology therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals; alpha, beta, and/or gamma decay

Guides nonclinical programs and labeling for cancer therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

CDER

Safety Assessment of Genome Editing in Human Gene Therapy Products Using Next-Generation Sequencing | FDA

Draft

April 2026

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

Gene therapy products

Recommendations for next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based methods used in nonclinical studies

CBER

Providing Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness for Human Drug and Biological Products

Final

May 1998

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

drugs and biologics; NDAs, BLAs, supplemental indications

Explains evidence needed to demonstrate effectiveness for drugs and biologics.

CDER; CBER

E9 Statistical Principles for Clinical Trials

Final

September 1998

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

Medicinal products; clinical trials supporting marketing applications

Harmonizes statistical principles for trial design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation.

CDER; CBER

E10 Choice of Control Group and Related Issues in Clinical Trials

Final

May 2001

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

Clinical trials demonstrating treatment efficacy

Guides selection of control groups and explains what different trial designs can demonstrate.

CDER; CBER

Enrichment Strategies for Clinical Trials to Support Approval of Human Drugs and Biological Products

Final

March 2019

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

drugs and biologics; enrichment designs

Defines enrichment strategies to improve trial ability to demonstrate effectiveness and sometimes safety.

CDER; CBER

Non-Inferiority Clinical Trials

Final

November 2016

Nonclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Data

drugs and biologics; INDs, NDAs, BLAs, supplements

Advises when NI designs are interpretable, margin selection, and hypothesis testing.

CDER; CBER

Adaptive Design Clinical Trials for Drugs and Biologics Guidance for Industry

Final Level 1

December 2019

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

drugs and biologics; adaptive, Bayesian, complex designs

Covers principles for designing, conducting, reporting, and submitting adaptive clinical trials.

CBER; CDER

Co development of Two or More New Investigational Drugs for Use in Combination

Final

June 2013

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

CDER-regulated drugs/biologics; new investigational drug combinations

Addresses scientific and regulatory issues for codeveloping multiple new investigational drugs.

CDER

M11 Template: Clinical Electronic Structured Harmonised Protocol (CeSHarP)

Final

May 2026

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Clinical trial protocols; electronic structured protocol exchange

Provides standardized protocol template and data fields for electronic exchange and review.

CDER; CBER

E6(R3) Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

Final Level 1

September 2025

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Clinical trials involving human participants; broad trial designs and technologies

Modernizes GCP with risk-based, quality-by-design, technology-enabled trial conduct principles.

CDER; CBER

Innovative Designs for Clinical Trials of Cellular and Gene Therapy Products in Small Populations; Draft Guidance for Industry

Draft

September 2025

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Clinical trials of cellular and gene therapies in small populations

Recommendations to sponsors who are planning clinical trials of cell and gene therapies products intended for use in a disease or condition that affects a small population

CBER

Frequently Asked Questions — Developing Potential Cellular and Gene Therapy Products; Draft Guidance for Industry

Draft

November 2024

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

F&Qs on developing Cellular and gene therapy products

Provides answers to frequently asked questions frequently arising during the development of cellular and gene therapies

CBER

Investigational In Vitro Diagnostics in Oncology Trials: Streamlined Submission Process for Study Risk Determination Guidance for Industry | FDA

Final

October 2019

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Oncology trials using investigational IVDs; therapeutic INDs; IDE risk determinations

Optional streamlined process to determine SR, NSR, or IDE-exempt status for oncology-trial IVDs.

CDER; CDRH

Considerations for the Development of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Products; Guidance for Industry

Final

January 2024

Clinical Trial Design/Clinical Protocol Development

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell products

Recommendations regarding chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC), pharmacology and toxicology, and clinical study design

CBER

Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Phase 1 Investigational Drugs

Final

July 2008

CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls)

Most Phase 1 IND drugs, including biologics

CGMP/QC expectations for manufacturing Phase 1 investigational drugs to protect subjects.

ORA; CDER; CBER

Exploratory IND Studies

Final

January 2006

CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls)

Early Phase 1 exploratory INDs; drugs and therapeutic biologics; microdose/screening studies

Clarifies preclinical, clinical, and CMC flexibility for limited early human exploratory studies.

CDER

Q7A Good Manufacturing Practice Guidance for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

Final

August 2001

CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls)

APIs for human drugs; chemical synthesis, extraction, cell culture/fermentation; excludes vaccines, whole blood, gene therapy APIs

GMP guidance for API manufacturing quality systems, controls, validation, documentation, and clinical-trial APIs.

CDER; CBER

INDs for Phase 2 and Phase 3 Studies Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Information

Final

May 2003

CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls)

Human drugs in Phase 2/3 INDs; excludes botanicals, natural/biotech proteins, other biologics

Recommends CMC submissions for Phase 2/3 INDs, amendments, and annual reports.

CDER

Investigational New Drug Application Submissions for Individualized Antisense Oligonucleotide Drug Products… CMC Recommendations

Draft

December 2021

CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls)

Individualized ASO drug products for SDLT diseases caused by unique variants; typically 1–2 patients

CMC recommendations for sponsor-investigators submitting INDs for individualized ASO drug products.

CDER

Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Flexibilities for Developing Human Cellular and Gene therapy Products for a Biologics License Application

Final

May 2026

CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls)

CMC flexibilities for development of human cellular and gene therapies

Describes flexible approach to ensuring applicable CMC requirements are met for CGT products

CBER

Providing Regulatory Submissions in Electronic Format — Certain Human Pharmaceutical Product Applications and Related Submissions Using the eCTD Specifications Guidance for Industry

Final

September 2024

IND Submission

NDAs, ANDAs, BLAs, INDs, DMFs; small molecules and biologics

Defines mandatory eCTD structure and technical requirements for electronic regulatory submissions.

CDER; CBER

Providing Regulatory Submissions in Alternate Electronic Format Guidance for Industry

Final

June 2022

IND Submission

NDAs, ANDAs, BLAs, INDs, DMFs; small molecules and biologics

Describes acceptable alternate formats when eCTD submissions are waived or exempted.

CDER; CBER

Providing Regulatory Submissions in Electronic Format — Submissions Under Section 745A(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Final

December 2014

IND Submission

Human drug and biologic submissions

Explains statutory requirements, timelines, and waivers for mandatory electronic submissions.

CDER; CBER

Providing Regulatory Submissions in Electronic Format--Receipt Date

Final

February 2014

IND Submission

Electronic submissions for drugs and biologics

Clarifies how FDA determines receipt dates for electronic submissions.

CDER; CBER

Providing Regulatory Submissions in Electronic Format – Drug Establishment Registration and Drug Listing

Final

June 2009

IND Submission

Drug establishment registration and listing; marketed drugs

Outlines SPL format requirements for drug establishment registration and listing.

CDER; CVM

E2A Clinical Safety Data Management: Definitions and Standard for Expedited Reporting

Final

March 1995

IND Safety Reporting

Clinical trials; drugs and biologics

Defines expedited safety reporting standards and adverse event terminology for clinical trials.

CDER

Safety Reporting Requirements for INDs and BA/BE Studies

Final

December 2012

IND Safety Reporting

INDs; BA/BE studies; small molecules

Clarifies IND safety reporting requirements, thresholds, and expectations for BA/BE studies.

CDER; CBER

Investigator Responsibilities – Safety Reporting for Investigational Drugs and Devices

Draft

December 2025

IND Safety Reporting

Clinical investigators; drugs and devices

Outlines investigator responsibilities for reporting adverse events in drug and device studies.

CDER; CBER; CDRH; OCE

M14 General Principles on Planning, Designing, Analyzing, and Reporting of Non-interventional Studies That Utilize Real-World Data for Safety Assessment of Medicines

Final

March 2026

IND Safety Reporting

Non-interventional studies; real-world data; drugs/biologics

Provides principles for designing and analyzing RWD studies for post-market safety evaluation.

CDER; CBER

Sponsor Responsibilities - Safety Reporting Requirements and Safety Assessment for IND and Bioavailability/Bioequivalence Studies

Final

December 2025

IND Safety Reporting

IND sponsors; BA/BE studies; small molecules

Details sponsor obligations for safety reporting and aggregate safety assessment under IND.

CDER

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Summary

Find FDA Guidance Documents related to Phase 1 IND submissions