


Telecon Minutes - Provenge, April 16, 2010


 
(System Info - 126198 Finn Thomas 04/16/2010 12:59:22 TULL)
 11/10/09  2:00 PM

Gang Wang
 Tom Finn
 Lori Tull

Liz Smith
 Nicole Provost
 Connie Spooner
 Heidi Hagan

The FDA requested a telecon with the sponsor to schedule a 2nd inspection of 
their NJ facility in response to the BLA submission received 10/30/09.  The FDA 
suggested that the 2nd or 3rd week of December would be a good target date for 
an inspection and asked whether Dendreon could be ready for an inspection at 
that time.  Dendreon responded that it would be difficult for them to be ready 
at that time.  One reason given was that they are in the process of hiring 
additional staff for that facility and they want to be at least training those 
new hires before the inspection.  There is also scheduling issues to coordinate 
patients as part of their open label trial whose product will be made during 
inspection.  The FDA asked if the week of January 11 would work.  Dendreon 
responded that they could meet that date but it would be stressful.  Dendreon 
proposed the last week of January.  The FDA stated that there was concern about 
postponing an inspection that long because the FDA would like to give the 
sponsor sufficient time to resolve problems before the PDUFA due date.  Dendreon 
responded that they intend to resolve any 483 issues within 10 business days of 
being issued a 483.  A discussion followed about realistic time frames for 
responding to potential problems should they occur.  The FDA and Dendreon came 
to agreement about Jan 25-29 as a tentative inspection date.  Dendreon was 
willing to commit to that date, but the FDA wanted a few days to confirm that 
that time frame would work with FDA schedules.

A second item for discussion was the scale or throughput of manufacturing while 
on inspection.  Dendreon proposed (b)(4) lots/day being processed while on 
inspection.  The FDA agreed that in general that level of production would be 
adequate.  The FDA proposed (b)(4) lots produced on one day, followed by 
continued manufacturing of those lots 
----------------(b)(4)----------------------------------------------------------. 
 Dendreon agreed that a --------------(b)(4)------------------- could be 
scheduled during inspection.  The FDA also indicated that of the (b)(4) lots 
(b)(4) should be manufactured in -------(b)(4)--------------------------- 
modules would be used.  Dendreon asked for flexibility as to how many lots will 
be made in each module, for example, perhaps 
----------(b)(4)--------------------------.  The FDA agreed that this would be 
acceptable.

Dendreon stated that they will provide a manufacturing schedule a week in 
advance that outlines what will be manufactured when.  They will be processing 
actual product for the open access trial during that time period. Dendreon also 
indicated that most of the manufacturing occurs at (b)(4) and that the 
inspection team may want to adjust their schedule accordingly. 

Dendreon asked about the status of the EIR and will they be provided a copy.  
The FDA stated that the EIR from the previous inspection has been completed for 
some time but considers the file to still be open because the BLA was not 
approved and the 483 items have yet to be resolved.  A second EIR will be 
generated after the 2nd inspection.  Once that is completed Dendreon can request 
a copy of both reports.  Dendreon indicated interest in getting a copy of the 
first EIR to make sure they have addressed all issues with the previous 
inspection.  The FDA said they would look into whether Dendreon could formally 
request a copy.
 

   