Gene and cell therapies hold the potential to transform medicine
and create a seismic shift in our ability to treat, and possibly cure,
many diseases once considered untreatable. Exciting improvements
have been observed in recent years. But this requires
updating the regulatory structure as existing rules have not been
designed for these kinds of therapies. To expedite the development
and review of these innovative products, the 21st Century
Cures Act includes the regenerative medicine advanced therapy
(RMAT) designation. Prior to adding RMAT, only four possible
designations existed: Fast Track, Breakthrough Therapy, Priority
Review and Accelerated Approval (1).