BIOLOGICS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) CONSULTING SERVICES

Investigators

Abstract

“This study is part of the NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative to speed scientific solutions to understand the basis of pain and enhance clinical pain management.” Performance Area 1: Biologics Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) SME(s) Subject matter experts in manufacturing of the various biological therapeutics platforms, including but not limited to, modalities such as therapeutic oligonucleotides (e.g., antisense oligonucleotide -ASOs, small interfering RNAs -siRNAs, etc.), AAV, lentivirus or other viral vector therapeutics, purified proteins, recombinant proteins, peptides, antibody-based and cell-based therapeutics, and ex vivo cellular therapies are required. Biologics CMC consultants will be expected to provide senior-level chemistry, manufacturing and controls expertise and contribute feedback and guidance on projects to the NIH and to LDT members through conference calls and by email. Please note that, for Performance Area 1, the Government will consider SME consultants with expertise in one or more manufacturing modalities. The role of the CMC SME consultant may include, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities and tasks: a) Review and comment on the adequacy of biologic manufacturing, including scale-up, analytical method development, and process development (upstream and downstream processing) approaches proposed by Principal Investigators (PIs) and CMOs b) Provide guidance on delivery methods, which may include complex formulations such as polymer, liposomes, and other nanoparticle constructs c) Provide expert advice on master and working cell and viral bank development and testing d) Provide strategy and feedback on biologics process development and manufacturing plans proposed by the team e) Provide feedback on therapeutic oligonucleotide sequences and synthesis processes proposed by the team f) Provide feedback on proposed biologics formulations g) Provide feedback on critical quality attributes, release testing, etc. h) Evaluate CMC data on a weekly or biweekly basis i) Serve as the CMC expert in order to identify potential product manufacturing challenges and suggest strategies to address these challenges j) Accompany NIH staff or visit, at NIH staff request, CROs and CMOs under contract to the NIH. k) Inspect facilities and discuss appropriateness of CRO/CMO proposed methodology l) CMC consultant may be asked to evaluate the potential tractability (including surrounding IP space) of a proposed biological therapeutic m) Collaborate on design of investigative studies in support of therapeutics development projects n) In partnership with other consultants, contractors, and the NIH staff, advise, strategically plan, and manage CMC to facilitate preclinical evaluation and safety testing, Investigational New Drug (IND) submissions, and clinical studies o) Facilitate LDT discussions via telephone and email regarding assigned CMC efforts p) Provide strategic guidance for the continued development and improvement of the BPN-Biologics, HEAL PTDP, and URGenT biologics programs Performance Area 5 – Regulatory Affairs and Regulatory Operations SME(s) Regulatory Affairs consultants will provide advice and leadership in support of regulatory affairs strategy for NIH biologics programs. Consultants will be asked to provide guidance on IND-enabling studies to ensure that teams meet the guidelines and timelines of IND applications. Consultants will serve as the principal regulatory contact with NIH staff, PIs, and regulatory agencies, and may also be the primary regulatory representative to the FDA. The roles of the Regulatory Affairs and Regulatory Operations SME consultants may include but are not limited to the following responsibilities and tasks: a) Work within project teams to develop regulatory strategies, identify regulatory risks, and enable timely approval b) Advise NIH staff and project teams on issues related to regulatory strategy and identify areas of concern regarding developing regulations c) Provide input on and review specifications, methods, SOPs, protocols, reports, labeling, etc. for regulatory compliance d) Develop and manage timelines for regulatory submissions e) Work effectively to coordinate the activities of CROs and other consultants in the preparation of regulatory submissions as necessary f) Prepare and submit IND applications to the appropriate regulatory agency g) Prepare for and run regulatory agency meetings Performance Area 8 – Quality Assurance (QA) SME(s) The Quality Assurance SME Consultant will provide quality oversight of activities supporting product development and clinical evaluation of biological therapeutics under NIH biologics programs. The Quality Assurance SME will: a) Draft, review, and approve relevant sections of regulatory filings. b) Advise product development team on best practices and processes c) Ensure CRO/CMO compliance to regulations and quality requirements d) Be responsible for conducting quality checks e) Be responsible for deviation assessment f) Support audits of manufacturing CMO facilities and studies g) Support audits of toxicology CRO facilities and studies h) Accompany NIH staff or visit, at NIH staff request, CROs and CMOs under contract to the NIH. Inspect facilities and discuss appropriateness of CRO/CMO proposed methodology i) Conduct other site audits and study report audits as required