Provision Language
Statement of Work
9.0 Regulatory Rights
This agreement includes research with an investigational drug, biologic or medical device that is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and requires FDA pre–market approval or clearance before commercial marketing may begin. It is expected that this agreement will result in the FDA authorization, clearance and commercialization of NVX–CoV–2373 as a Vaccine for SARS–CoV–2 Coronavirus (the “Technology”). Novavax is the Sponsor of the Regulatory Application (an investigational new drug application (IND), investigational device exemption (IDE), emergency use authorization (EUA), new drug application (NDA), biologics license application (BLA), premarket approval application (PMA), or 510(k) pre–market notification filing (510(k)) or another regulatory filing submitted to the FDA) that controls research under this contract. As the Sponsor of the Regulatory Application to the FDA (as the terms “sponsor” and “applicant” are defined or used in at 21 CFR §§3.2(c), 312.5, 600.3(t), 812.2(b), 812 Subpart C, or 814.20), Novavax has certain standing before the FDA that entitles it to exclusive communications related to the Regulatory Application. This clause protects the return on research and development investment made by the U.S. Government in the event of certain regulatory product development failures related to the Technology.
Novavax agrees to the following:
a. Communications. Novavax will provide the U.S. Government with all communications and summaries thereof, both formal and informal, to or from FDA regarding the Technology and ensure that the U.S. Government representatives are invited to participate in any formal or informal Sponsor meetings with FDA;
b. Rights of Reference. The U.S. Government is hereby granted a right of reference as that term is defined in 21 C.F.R. § 314.3(b) (or any successor rule or analogous applicable law recognized outside of the U.S.) to any Regulatory Application submitted in support of the statement of work for the Project Agreement. When it desires to exercise this right, the U.S. Government agrees to notify Novavax in writing describing the request along with sufficient details for Novavax to generate a letter of cross–reference for the U.S. Government to file with the appropriate FDA office. The U.S. Government agrees that such letters of cross–reference may contain reporting requirements to enable Novavax to comply with its own pharmacovigilance reporting obligations to the FDA and other regulatory agencies. Nothing in this paragraph reduces the U.S. Government’s data rights as articulated in other provisions of the Project Agreement.
c. DoD Medical Product Priority. PL 115–92 allows the DoD to request, and FDA to provide, assistance to expedite development and the FDA’s review of products to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life–threatening diseases or conditions facing American military personnel. Novavax recognizes that only the DoD can utilize PL 115–92. As such, Novavax will work proactively with the DoD to leverage this this law to its maximal potential under this Project Agreement. Novavax shall submit a mutually agreed upon Public Law 115–92 Sponsor Authorization Letter to the U.S. Government within 30 days of award.
Base Agreement
21.06 Regulatory Affairs
Development and production of medical products and processes fall under the purview of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and research on these products involving animal or human studies is regulated by other laws, directives, and regulations. Project Awards under this Agreement that involve work in support of or related to FDA regulatory approval will address contingencies for Government access to regulatory rights in the event of product development abandonment or failure. Efforts conducted under this OTA shall be done ethically and in accordance with all applicable laws, directives, and regulations.
The Government shall ensure performance includes regulatory expertise and guidance for candidate medical countermeasure development efforts:
(1) This includes allowing the government to discuss/negotiate in partnership with the consortium how to assume appropriate risk in regulatory strategies. The government will review, negotiate, and come to consensus with the PAH (Project Agreement Holder) on product–specific risk–based decisions.
(2) PAHs will use all regulatory programs to accelerate the pace of candidate medical countermeasure development, including fast–track status, and as appropriate meeting requirements for priority review vouchers, applying for breakthrough therapy and accelerated approval as appropriate (see FDA Guidance for Industry: Expedited Programs for Serious Conditions – Drugs and Biologics).
(3) PAH will provide FDA submissions to the government such as all documentation requested by FDA and all proposals to FDA.
(4) PAH will allow the government to monitor all FDA communications by listening to teleconferences and attending meetings.
(5) PAH will allow the government to attend regulatory site visits and audits, and actively participate in all third–party audits.
(6) PAH will comply with Quality Assurance according to negotiated standards with the government on reports, material for Interim Fielding Capability (such as Emergency Use Authorization or Expanded Access Protocols), product for trials, prototypes, etc.
(7) PAH will provide strategies to address contingencies that could arise from regulatory directives, and regulatory failures.