title: Support for investigator-initiated clinical research involving investigational drugs or devices: the Clinical and Translational Science Award experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Investigator-initiated research involving investigational drugs and devices is key to improving health. However, this requires the investigator to serve as a "sponsor-investigator," which can be complex and overwhelming. The Investigational New Drug/Investigational Device Exemption (IND/IDE) Taskforce of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) consortium carried out a survey to examine how academic health centers (AHCs) assist sponsor-investigators with regulatory responsibilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 24 CTSA centers existing in 2008 were surveyed regarding regulatory oversight and support for sponsor-investigators. Responses were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The evaluation of survey responses yielded three models of institutional support/oversight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen centers and one affiliate responded. Eleven (55%) reported having an IND/IDE support office, increased from five (25%) prior to their CTSA award. The volume of investigator-initiated IND/IDE research was highly variable (measured by numbers of investigators, IND/IDE applications, and studies). Oversight, if done, was provided by either the IND/IDE office or elsewhere in the institution. Most IND/IDE offices assisted with IND/IDE submissions and preparation for external audits. Half reported advanced training for sponsor-investigators. Almost all reported a goal to increase IND/IDE research. Important issues include the need for robust training of investigator/staff, appropriate determination of IND-exempt research, and sufficient support for preparing IND/IDE applications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Investigator-initiated research involving IND/IDEs is essential, but complex. AHCs should examine how they support sponsor-investigators in meeting the complex requirements. A model of either expert consultation/support or full service will minimize risks to participants and institutions, and regulatory noncompliance.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berro
authors.forename: Bruce K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.forename: Gregg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Fromell
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.forename: Eric P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Rubinstein
authors.forename: Kathryn G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Schuff
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Speicher
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D001363:Awards and Prizes; D035843:Biomedical Research; D003625:Data Collection; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D015507:Drugs, Investigational