§ 360e.
(f)
Product development protocol
(1)
In the case of a class III device which is required to have an approval of an application submitted under subsection (c), such device shall be considered as having such an approval if a notice of completion of testing conducted in accordance with a product development protocol approved under paragraph (4) has been declared completed under paragraph (6).
(2)
Any person may submit to the Secretary a proposed product development protocol with respect to a device. Such a protocol shall be accompanied by data supporting it. If, within thirty days of the receipt of such a protocol, the Secretary determines that it appears to be appropriate to apply the requirements of this subsection to the device with respect to which the protocol is submitted, the Secretary—
(A)
may, at the initiative of the Secretary, refer the proposed protocol to the appropriate panel under
section 360c of this title for its recommendation respecting approval of the protocol; or
(B)
shall so refer such protocol upon the request of the submitter, unless the Secretary finds that the proposed protocol and accompanying data which would be reviewed by such panel substantially duplicate a product development protocol and accompanying data which have previously been reviewed by such a panel.
(3)
A proposed product development protocol for a device may be approved only if—
(A)
the Secretary determines that it is appropriate to apply the requirements of this subsection to the device in lieu of the requirement of approval of an application submitted under subsection (c); and
(B)
the Secretary determines that the proposed protocol provides—
(i)
a description of the device and the changes which may be made in the device,
(ii)
a description of the preclinical trials (if any) of the device and a specification of (I) the results from such trials to be required before the commencement of clinical trials of the device, and (II) any permissible variations in preclinical trials and the results therefrom,
(iii)
a description of the clinical trials (if any) of the device and a specification of (I) the results from such trials to be required before the filing of a notice of completion of the requirements of the protocol, and (II) any permissible variations in such trials and the results therefrom,
(iv)
a description of the methods to be used in, and the facilities and controls to be used for, the manufacture, processing, and, when relevant, packing and installation of the device,
(v)
an identifying reference to any performance standard under
section 360d of this title to be applicable to any aspect of such device,
(vi)
if appropriate, specimens of the labeling proposed to be used for such device,
(vii)
such other information relevant to the subject matter of the protocol as the Secretary, with the concurrence of the appropriate panel or panels under
section 360c of this title, may require, and
(viii)
a requirement for submission of progress reports and, when completed, records of the trials conducted under the protocol which records are adequate to show compliance with the protocol.
(4)
The Secretary shall approve or disapprove a proposed product development protocol submitted under paragraph (2) within one hundred and twenty days of its receipt unless an additional period is agreed upon by the Secretary and the person who submitted the protocol. Approval of a protocol or denial of approval of a protocol is final agency action subject to judicial review under chapter 7 of title 5.
(5)
At any time after a product development protocol for a device has been approved pursuant to paragraph (4), the person for whom the protocol was approved may submit a notice of completion—
(A)
stating (i) his determination that the requirements of the protocol have been fulfilled and that, to the best of his knowledge, there is no reason bearing on safety or effectiveness why the notice of completion should not become effective, and (ii) the data and other information upon which such determination was made, and
(B)
setting forth the results of the trials required by the protocol and all the information required by subsection (c)(1).
(6)
(A)
The Secretary may, after providing the person who has an approved protocol an opportunity for an informal hearing and at any time prior to receipt of notice of completion of such protocol, issue a final order to revoke such protocol if he finds that—
(i)
such person has failed substantially to comply with the requirements of the protocol,
(ii)
the results of the trials obtained under the protocol differ so substantially from the results required by the protocol that further trials cannot be justified, or
(iii)
the results of the trials conducted under the protocol or available new information do not demonstrate that the device tested under the protocol does not present an unreasonable risk to health and safety.
(B)
After the receipt of a notice of completion of an approved protocol the Secretary shall, within the ninety-day period beginning on the date such notice is received, by order either declare the protocol completed or declare it not completed. An order declaring a protocol not completed may take effect only after the Secretary has provided the person who has the protocol opportunity for an informal hearing on the order. Such an order may be issued only if the Secretary finds—
(i)
such person has failed substantially to comply with the requirements of the protocol,
(ii)
the results of the trials obtained under the protocol differ substantially from the results required by the protocol, or
(iii)
there is a lack of a showing of reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device under the conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the proposed labeling thereof.
(C)
A final order issued under subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be in writing and shall contain the reasons to support the conclusions thereof.
(7)
At any time after a notice of completion has become effective, the Secretary may issue an order (after due notice and opportunity for an informal hearing to the person for whom the notice is effective) revoking the approval of a device provided by a notice of completion which has become effective as provided in subparagraph (B) if he finds that any of the grounds listed in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of subsection (e)(1) of this section apply. Each reference in such subparagraphs to an application shall be considered for purposes of this paragraph as a reference to a protocol and the notice of completion of such protocol, and each reference to the time when an application was approved shall be considered for purposes of this paragraph as a reference to the time when a notice of completion took effect.
(8)
A person who has an approved protocol subject to an order issued under paragraph (6)(A) revoking such protocol, a person who has an approved protocol with respect to which an order under paragraph (6)(B) was issued declaring that the protocol had not been completed, or a person subject to an order issued under paragraph (7) revoking the approval of a device may, by petition filed on or before the thirtieth day after the date upon which he receives notice of such order, obtain review thereof in accordance with either paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (g).
([June 25, 1938, ch. 675, § 515], as added [Pub. L. 94–295, § 2], May 28, 1976, [90 Stat. 552]; amended [Pub. L. 101–629], §§ 4(b)(1), 9(a), 18(c), Nov. 28, 1990, [104 Stat. 4515], 4521, 4528; [Pub. L. 103–80, § 3(t)], Aug. 13, 1993, [107 Stat. 778]; [Pub. L. 105–115, title II], §§ 201(b), 202, 205(c), 209(b), 216(b), Nov. 21, 1997, [111 Stat. 2334], 2338, 2341, 2349; [Pub. L. 107–250, title II], §§ 209, 210, title III, § 302(c), Oct. 26, 2002, [116 Stat. 1613], 1614, 1618; [Pub. L. 108–214, § 2(d)(1)], Apr. 1, 2004, [118 Stat. 576]; [Pub. L. 110–85, title VIII, § 801(b)(3)(D)], Sept. 27, 2007, [121 Stat. 921]; [Pub. L. 112–144, title II, § 203(g)], title VI, § 608(b)(1), July 9, 2012, [126 Stat. 1006], 1056; [Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title III], §§ 3051(c)(1), 3058(b), 3101(a)(2)(J), Dec. 13, 2016, [130 Stat. 1124], 1129, 1154; [Pub. L. 115–52, title II, § 203(f)(2)(A)], Aug. 18, 2017, [131 Stat. 1015]; [Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title III, § 3308(b)(2)], Dec. 29, 2022, [136 Stat. 5836].)