Regulatory considerations for developing a phase I investigational new drug application for autologous induced pluripotent stem cells-based therapy product

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-based therapies have been hailed as the future of regenerative medicine because of their potential to provide treatment options for most degenerative diseases. A key promise of iPSC-based therapies is the possibility of an autologous transplant that may engraft better in the longer-term due to its compatibility with the patient's immune system. Despite over a decade of research, clinical translation of autologous iPSC-based therapies has been slow—partly due to a lacking pre-defined regulatory path. Here, we outline regulatory considerations for developing an autologous iPSC-based product and challenges associated with the clinical manufacturing of autologous iPSCs and their derivatives. These challenges include donor tissue source, reprogramming methods, heterogeneity of differentiated cells, controls for the manufacturing process, and preclinical considerations. A robust manufacturing process with appropriate quality controls and well-informed, prospectively designed preclinical studies provide a path toward successful approval of autologous iPSC-based therapies.