[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 21, Volume 5] [Revised as of April 1, 2001] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 21CFR312.81] [Page 88] TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES--Continued PART 312--INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG APPLICATION--Table of Contents Subpart E--Drugs Intended to Treat Life-threatening and Severely- debilitating Illnesses Sec. 312.81 Scope. This section applies to new drug and biological products that are being studied for their safety and effectiveness in treating life- threatening or severely-debilitating diseases. (a) For purposes of this section, the term ``life-threatening'' means: (1) Diseases or conditions where the likelihood of death is high unless the course of the disease is interrupted; and (2) Diseases or conditions with potentially fatal outcomes, where the end point of clinical trial analysis is survival. (b) For purposes of this section, the term ``severely debilitating'' means diseases or conditions that cause major irreversible morbidity. (c) Sponsors are encouraged to consult with FDA on the applicability of these procedures to specific products. [53 FR 41523, Oct. 21, 1988, as amended at 64 FR 401, Jan. 5, 1999]