Making the Case for an FDA Rare Disease Center of Excellence

Two attorneys specializing in regulatory law recently proposed the creation of an FDA Rare Disease Center of Excellence to better allow the agency to address the challenges of advancing and reviewing rare disease products. The proposal, advanced by Hyman, Phelps & McNamara’s Director Frank Sasinowski and Associate James Valentine, also calls for the creation of deputy directors of rare disease at various FDA divisions and the creation of a rare disease advisory committee made up of external experts. We spoke to Valentine about the proposal, why these measures are needed, and the early response from one key figure at the FDA.