Validation of DHTs (Digital Health Technologies) for use in Clinical Investigations

DHTs (Digital Health Technologies) in Clinical Investigations

The FDA classifies biosensors as digital health technology (DHT) which is a system that uses computing platforms, connectivity, software, and/or sensors for health care and related uses¹. Biosensors are most often seen as wearable health technology/wearable sensors. One common example of wearable sensor technology are personal fitness watches like Apple and Fitbit. But biosensor use isn’t just limited to personal fitness watches, they are also used in clinical investigations to capture data and endpoints, as well as monitor the patient’s health.

Biosensors have become increasingly integral in clinical investigations, offering precise real-time monitoring of various biological parameters. In 2019, approximately 15% of trials incorporated wearable devices, primarily to collect data as explanatory endpoints and monitor patients’ health². Currently, the percentage of clinical investigations reporting the use of wearables biosensors as primary or secondary endpoints on clinicaltrial.com is less than 1%. Though usage is low now, it is anticipated that up to 70% of clinical investigations will incorporate wearable sensors by 2025³.

Depending on the intended use of the DHT, the DHT may meet the definition of a medical device under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act)⁴. If a DHT meets the definition of a medical device, developers and stakeholders must now consider and include information regarding DHTs in their regulatory submission (i.e. IND, IDE, DDT submission, MDDT submission).

There are many applications of biosensors in clinical investigations, ranging from assessing drug efficacy and safety to monitoring patient response and disease progression. When used as endpoints, they function as a powerful tool for enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and patient-centricity of clinical investigations. Due to their flexible application and benefits they offer, we can see why biosensors are being increasingly used in clinical investigations.

Challenges for Industry

Despite the benefits and advantages that biosensors offer, they also pose significant challenges. Some key obstacles to consider include:

Regulatory Compliance:
Meeting regulatory requirements for the validation, approval, and use of biosensors in clinical investigations can be complex and time-consuming. Companies must navigate various regulations, standards, and guidelines issued by regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EMA.
Validation and Standardization:
Validating biosensors for use as clinical investigation endpoints involves rigorous testing to establish their accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility. Companies must conduct comprehensive analytical and clinical validation studies, which can be resource-intensive and require expertise in assay development, statistics, and regulatory affairs.
Technical Complexity:
Developing biosensors with the necessary sensitivity, specificity, and stability for use in clinical investigations can be technically challenging.
Data Interpretation and Integration:
Generating large volumes of data from biosensors in clinical investigations poses challenges for data interpretation, analysis, and integration with other clinical endpoints. Companies must develop robust analytical pipelines and bioinformatics tools to process and interpret biosensor data accurately.
Patient Acceptance and Compliance:
Companies must consider factors such as patient comfort, ease of use, and privacy concerns when designing biosensors and implementing monitoring procedures. Ensuring adequate training and support for patients using biosensors can help mitigate challenges related to patient acceptance and compliance.

Regulations to Consider

Using biosensors as clinical investigation endpoints means that you will be subject to various regulations and guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and other regulatory authorities worldwide.

Guidance Documents:

Both the FDA and the EMA issue guidance documents to provide additional clarity and interpretation of regulations pertaining to medical devices, including biosensors. These guidance documents address various aspects such as clinical trial design, data collection, performance evaluation, and regulatory submission requirements specific to biosensors used in clinical investigations. Most recently, the FDA released the guidance, “Digital Health Technologies for Remote Data Acquisition in Clinical Investigations” in December of 2023⁵.

Compliance with these regulations and guidelines is essential to ensure the safety, efficacy, and regulatory approval of biosensors used as clinical investigation endpoints. Regulatory requirements may vary depending on factors such as the intended use of the biosensor, the jurisdiction in which the clinical investigation is conducted, and the classification of the biosensor as a medical device. Therefore, it’s important for sponsors and investigators to stay informed about relevant regulations and seek regulatory guidance as needed throughout the clinical investigation process.

Our Solution

If you are hoping to use biosensor data as a part of your regulatory submission, the biosensors will need to be validated to show that they are accurate and reliable. Innovenn provides comprehensive validation services to define the performance characteristics such as accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, linearity and stability. Our team provides support through the planning execution and reporting of validation activities.

Our Human Factors Services provide an added advantage to address patient acceptance and compliance. Innovenn can conduct Human Factors and/or usability testing to investigate patient comfort, ease of use, and privacy concerns when designing biosensors and implementing monitoring procedures. In addition, we provide the support to validate Instructions for Use that will guide patients through the use of one or more biosensors utilized in a clinical investigation.

Why Choose Innovenn for your validation of DHTs?

Revolutionize your clinical investigations with cutting-edge biosensor validation from our expert team at Innovenn, with a focus on accuracy, reliability, and compliance every step of the way. Partnering with Innovenn can unlock the full potential of your biosensors and accelerate your path to regulatory approval.

To learn more about how to elevate your research and drive meaningful advancements in DHTs, contact us today to discuss your specific needs.

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References:

DHTs (Digital Health Technologies) in Clinical Investigations

Challenges for Industry

Regulations to Consider

Our Solution

Why Choose Innovenn for your validation of DHTs?

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