The FDA will hold a public meeting on September 8, 2008, to gather information that will assist the agency in further implementing the recommendations of the Nanotechnology Task Force Report relating to the development of agency guidance documents concerning nanotechnology. The primary purpose of the meeting is to determine what factors the agency should consider in providing guidance on:

1) The information and data that may be needed to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of FDA-regulated products containing nanoscale materials; and

2) The circumstances under which a product’s regulatory status might change due to the presence or use of nanoscale materials.

Nanotechnology allows scientists to work on the scale of molecules to create, explore, and manipulate materials measured in nanometers; billionths of a meter. MassTortDefense has posted on nano-issues here and here.

In July 2007, FDA issued a report analyzing scientific and regulatory considerations relating to the safety and effectiveness of FDA-regulated products containing nanoscale materials regulated by FDA, and making recommendations regarding these considerations. The Nanotechnology Task Force Report made recommendations which covered foods (including dietary supplements), food and color additives (including food contact substances), animal drugs and feeds, cosmetics, human drugs and biologics, and medical devices. Additionally, the Report summarized the state of the science for biological interactions with nanoscale materials.

In addition, FDA is working with the National Institutes of Health (particularly the NanoHealth Enterprise) to explore methods for receiving and sharing data relating to, for example, general product development, including research on failed product candidates, and biological interactions of certain characteristics of nanoscale materials.

The meeting will begin with a plenary session at which FDA will review the goals of the meeting and give a general overview of the analysis and findings of the Nanotechnology Task Force and agency activities since publication of the Report in July 2007. Following will be breakout sessions on medical devices, including diagnostics; prescription drugs, including
biological drugs, animal drugs and OTC drugs, including sunscreens; food and color additives, including food contact substances; dietary supplements; and cosmetics.