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ICH E4 Dose response information to support drug registration (CPMP/ICH/378/95)

 ICH E4 is a guideline titled "Dose-Response Information to Support Drug Registration" with the reference number CPMP/ICH/378/95. This guideline, developed by the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH), provides recommendations and principles for collecting, analyzing, and presenting dose-response information as part of the drug registration process. Dose-response information is crucial for establishing the appropriate dosing regimen for a new drug. Here's an elaboration of ICH E4:


1. Purpose:

The primary purpose of ICH E4 is to guide the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory authorities on the generation and evaluation of dose-response data for new drugs. It aims to ensure that dose-response relationships are well-understood and support the safe and effective use of the drug.

2. Applicability:

ICH E4 is applicable to all phases of drug development, including preclinical and clinical studies, and it covers various types of drug products, including small molecules, biologics, and other therapeutic agents.

3. Key Considerations:

The guideline emphasizes several key considerations when evaluating dose-response information:

  • Determining the therapeutic range: Identifying the range of doses that provide optimal efficacy and an acceptable safety profile.
  • Characterizing the dose-response relationship: Understanding how the drug's effect varies with different doses.
  • Identifying the minimum effective dose (MED): Determining the lowest dose that produces a clinically meaningful effect.
  • Assessing the maximum tolerated dose (MTD): Identifying the highest dose that can be administered safely.
  • Evaluating dose-response trends: Analyzing the shape of the dose-response curve, including any plateau or saturation effects.
  • Assessing exposure-response relationships: Examining how drug exposure (e.g., plasma concentration) relates to clinical response.

4. Clinical Trial Design:

ICH E4 provides recommendations for the design of clinical trials aimed at assessing dose-response relationships. This includes considerations for dosing regimens, endpoints, and the selection of appropriate patient populations.

5. Data Analysis:

The guideline outlines principles for the analysis of dose-response data, including the use of appropriate statistical methods and graphical representations to characterize the relationship between dose and response.

6. Safety Considerations:

Safety assessments are integral to dose-response evaluations. The guideline emphasizes the importance of monitoring and evaluating adverse events and safety parameters across dose groups.

7. Extrapolation:

ICH E4 discusses the potential for extrapolating dose-response information from one population to another, such as from adult data to pediatric or geriatric populations, when justified and supported by scientific evidence.

8. Regulatory Submissions:

Dose-response information is a critical component of regulatory submissions, such as New Drug Applications (NDAs) or Marketing Authorization Applications (MAAs). The guideline provides guidance on the presentation of dose-response data in these submissions.

9. Risk-Benefit Assessment:

The guideline emphasizes that a comprehensive understanding of the dose-response relationship contributes to the assessment of the drug's risk-benefit profile.

10. Compliance:

- Pharmaceutical companies are expected to comply with ICH E4 to ensure that dose-response information is appropriately collected, analyzed, and presented in support of drug registration.


In summary, ICH E4 provides a framework for the collection and evaluation of dose-response information to support the registration of new drugs. Compliance with this guideline ensures that dose-response relationships are well-characterized, contributing to the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical products and informed regulatory decisions

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