Applying for a clinical trial
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<p>Clinical trials applications related to COVID-19 are considered highest priority within the IMA. Sponsors can expect delays in applications and issues not related to COVID-19.</p>
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<p>CTA should be sent electronically either via CESP or on CD ROM/USB flash drive with a printed cover letter and import licence application.</p>
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<p>Please use the applicable checklist for the preparation of the CTA. Attach the completed list to the application.</p>
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<p>Checklist IMP with marketing authorisation in EEA (December 2018)</p>
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<p>Checklist IMP without marketing authorisation in EEA (December 2018)</p>
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<p>Before the CTA can be validated by IMA the documents according to the checklist have to be enclosed. In addition the application fee has to be payed, an invoice will be sent.</p>
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<p>If the application fee has not been paid by deadline the application will be considered invalid.</p>
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Information on the data which must accompany the CTA
A covering letter must accompany the CTA, which includes the title of the trial, EudraCT number, and the protocol number of the sponsor. Specific issues and concerns related to the trial should be highlighted, e.g. if a scientific advice is associated with the trial.
The letter must state the importer of the investigational medicinal product and which pharmacy will store it. If the applicant has requested to be exempted from storing the investigational medicinal product in the custody and supervision of a pharmacy or hospital pharmacy, standard operating procedures regarding reception, handling, delivery, storage and disposal should be included in the application.
Information where the study documentation will be archived for at least 15 years. Cf Article 27 of Regulation No. 443/2004 on clinical trials of medicinal products in humans need to be provided in the letter.
How the sponsor will inform about suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions (SUSARs) should also be included in the letter.
In addition to the above mentioned items, reference is made to Art. 10 of Regulation No. 443/2004 on clinical trials of medicinal products in humans.
EudraCT is a database for all clinical trials within the European Economic Area (EEA), in which applications to all the European medicines agencies are filed. The database is made in accordance with Directive 2001/20/EC. Applicants/sponsors can access the database through the internet in order to:
- Apply for a EudraCT number – https://eudract.ema.europa.eu/
- Fill in, save and print an electronic version of the filled-in application form for clinical trials
Access to the database proper is restricted and only the European medicines agencies within EEA, EMEA and the Council of Europe can access it.
Detailed guidance on filling in the EudraCT for applying for a clinical trial in Iceland can be found on the EMEA website, http://www.emea.europa.eu/
Guidance on applying for a EudraCT number
EudraCT number – the ID of the clinical trial
In order to have a specific reference to the clinical trial with at least one centre within the EEA, each trial receives a specific number – EudraCT number. That number must feature in all applications for clinical trials within the EEA as well in other documents related to the trial (e.g. SUSARs). Getting a EudraCT number is a two-step process comprising the items described below.
The structure of the EudraCT number is YYYY-NNNNNN-CC, where
YYYY is the year when the number was published
NNNNNN is a six digit sequential number
CC is a validation number
Step 1 – Applying for a safety code
The first step involves receiving a confirmed safety code. This code is sent to the email address, which the applicant denotes in the application and is essential in order to finalise the application fro a EudraCT number. The safety code is only valid for one EudraCT number and expires 24 hours after application.
Step 2 – Applying for a EudraCT number
This step is the application proper for a EudraCT number. In this step the safety code from Step 1 must be utilised. The EudraCT number is sent to the email address, which the applicant denotes in his application.
A signature form must be attached to the CTA, signed by the principal investigator (PI). If the trial is conducted in a hospital or other health organisation, then a senior physician, head of department or organisation must also sign the form. It the trial is conducted in cooperation with a sponsor, his representative must also sign the form. In the absence of a sponsor the PI takes on the role of the sponsor.
Multi-centre trials are regarded as one trial. In such cases only one application shall be submitted to IMA along with the signature form signed by the coordinating investigator/ supervisor of the trial. Signature forms signed by the PIs at each investigator site (centre) in Iceland must also accompany the letter.
With this form the applicant commits to send IMA an annual report (DSUR) if the clinical trial lasts for more than one year and no later than one year following the conclusion of the clinical trial.
A protocol must be submitted, stating inter alia the objective, set-up, methodology, statistical methods and the design of the trial.
It should be stated whether the trial is a part of a multinational clinical trial.
The trial must be conducted in accordance with Regulation No 443/2004 and rules on good clinical practice (GCP).
The application must be accompanied by a summary of clinical and pre-clinical data on the investigational medicinal product(s) which is relevant fro a clinical trial on the medicine(s) in humans. The brochure must include a risk-benefit assessment.
Summary of the chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology in animals, toxicology, pharmacology in humans and clinical properties of the medicinal products must be submitted.
Further information regarding the quality requirements of the IMP, comparator and placebo is found in EMA‘s guidelines aboutthe IMPD (EMA/CHMP/QWP/545525/2017 for chemical IMPs, and EMA/CHMP/BWP/534898/2008 rev.1 for biological IMPs ).
A certificate from all manufacturing units, including packaging, labelling and batch release must be submitted
If the investigational medicinal product is not manufactured within the EEA and does not have a marketing authorisation in EEA, a statement is needed from the Qualified Person (QP) of the importer into the EEA, stating that the medicine is manufactured in accordance with GMP rules and that research has confirmed the quality of the product. The QP can come from whichever country within the EEA.
If the investigational medicinal product(s) are to be kept in a pharmacy or hospital pharmacy, an agreement should be sent with the application, as stated in the check list.
The agreement has to provide information regarding the role of the pharmacy, study title, protocol number and EudraCT number, name of sponsor and pharmacy and duration of the agreement. The agreement should be signed and dated by pharmacy representative and sponsor/sponsor‘s representative.