Regulatory Affairs, CMC and Toxicology Consultants

Why Many Biopharma CTA/IND Delays Are Avoidable


If you’re approaching a CTA or IND, the biggest risk isn’t what you know — it’s what you’ve missed.

 

In our experience, delays rarely come from obvious failures. They come from hidden gaps that only surface under regulatory scrutiny.

 

The most common ones:

 

  • Nonclinical / toxicology strategy that does not fully support the submission
  • CMC development that is not aligned with regulatory expectations
  • Submission packages that lack clarity, structure, or justification
  • Underestimating the level of scrutiny from regulators (EMA, FDA, MHRA)

Everything can look “on track” internally — until the questions come.

 

And when they do, the impact can be significant:

 

  • 6–12+ month delays with associated burn rate increase
  • Increased Expenditure to remedy situation
  • Pressure from investors
  • Loss of momentum at a critical milestone

The reality is simple:

 

Most of these issues can be identified — and fixed — before submission.

 

That’s where Experienced, External Review Makes the Difference.

 

If you’re approaching a CTA or IND and want an objective view of potential risks, feel free to reach out to us for a free consultation.