Rule2025-08145
Medical Devices; Immunology and Microbiology Devices; Classification of the Microbial Nucleic Acid Storage and Stabilization Device
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Published
May 9, 2025
Effective
May 9, 2025
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentFood and Drug Administration
Abstract
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is classifying the microbial nucleic acid storage and stabilization device into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the microbial nucleic acid storage and stabilization device's classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 89 (Friday, May 9, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 89 (Friday, May 9, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19644-19645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08145]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 866
[Docket No. FDA-2025-N-0710]
Medical Devices; Immunology and Microbiology Devices;
Classification of the Microbial Nucleic Acid Storage and Stabilization
Device
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
ACTION: Final amendment; final order.
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is
classifying the microbial nucleic acid storage and stabilization device
into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to
the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the
codified language for the microbial nucleic acid storage and
stabilization device's classification. We are taking this action
because we have determined that classifying the device into class II
(special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and
effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance
patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing
regulatory burdens.
DATES: This order is effective May 9, 2025. The classification was
applicable on March 19, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dina Jerebitski, Center for Devices
and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New
Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 66, Rm. 3574, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 301-
796-2411, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2064494e410e6a455245424954534b49604644410e4848530e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8ac818689c6a28d9a8d8a819c9b8381a88e8c89c680809bc68f879e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Upon request, FDA has classified the microbial nucleic acid storage
and stabilization device as class II (special controls), which we have
determined will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and
effectiveness. In addition, we believe this action will enhance
patients' access to beneficial innovation, in part by reducing
regulatory burdens by placing the device into a lower device class than
the automatic class III assignment.
The automatic assignment of class III occurs by operation of law
and without any action by FDA, regardless of the level of risk posed by
the new device. Any device that was not in commercial distribution
before May 28, 1976, is automatically classified as, and remains
within, class III and requires premarket approval unless and until FDA
takes an action to classify or reclassify the device (see 21 U.S.C.
360c(f)(1)). We refer to these devices as ``postamendments devices''
because they were not in commercial distribution prior to the date of
enactment of the Medical Device Amendments of 1976, which amended the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).
FDA may take a variety of actions in appropriate circumstances to
classify or reclassify a device into class I or II. We may issue an
order finding a new device to be substantially equivalent under section
513(i) of the FD&C Act (see 21 U.S.C. 360c(i)) to a predicate device
that does not require premarket approval. We determine whether a new
device is substantially equivalent to a predicate device by means of
the procedures for premarket notification under section 510(k) of the
FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 360(k)) and part 807 (21 CFR part 807).
FDA may also classify a device through ``De Novo'' classification,
a common name for the process authorized under section 513(f)(2) of the
FD&C Act (see also part 860, subpart D (21 CFR part 860, subpart D)).
Section 207 of the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of
1997 (Pub. L. 105-115) established the first procedure for De Novo
classification. Section 607 of the Food and Drug Administration Safety
and Innovation Act (Pub. L. 112-144) modified the De Novo application
process by adding a second procedure. A device sponsor may utilize
either procedure for De Novo classification.
Under the first procedure, the person submits a 510(k) for a device
that has not previously been classified. After receiving an order from
FDA classifying the device into class III under section 513(f)(1) of
the FD&C Act, the person then requests a classification under section
513(f)(2).
Under the second procedure, rather than first submitting a 510(k)
and then a request for classification, if the person determines that
there is no legally marketed device upon which to base a determination
of substantial equivalence, that person requests a classification under
section 513(f)(2) of the FD&C Act.
Under either procedure for De Novo classification, FDA is required
to classify the device by written order within 120 days. The
classification will be according to the criteria under section
513(a)(1) of the FD&C Act. Although the device was automatically placed
within class III, the De Novo classification is considered to be the
initial classification of the device.
We believe this De Novo classification will enhance patients'
access to beneficial innovation, in part by reducing regulatory
burdens. When FDA classifies a device into class I or II via the De
Novo process, the device can serve as a predicate for future devices of
that type, including for 510(k)s (see section 513(f)(2)(B)(i) of the
FD&C Act). As a result, other device sponsors do not have to submit a
De Novo request or PMA to market a substantially equivalent device (see
section 513(i) of the FD&C Act, defining ``substantial equivalence'').
Instead, sponsors can use the less-burdensome 510(k) process, when
necessary, to market their device.
II. De Novo Classification
On May 25, 2017, FDA received Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics
LLC's request for De Novo classification of the PrimeStore MTM. FDA
reviewed the request in order to classify the device under the criteria
for classification set forth in section 513(a)(1) of the FD&C Act.
We classify devices into class II if general controls by themselves
are insufficient to provide reasonable assurance of safety and
effectiveness, but there is sufficient information to establish special
controls that, in combination with the general controls, provide
reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device for
its intended use (see 21 U.S.C. 360c(a)(1)(B)). After review of the
information submitted in the request, we determined that the device can
be classified into class II with the establishment of special controls.
FDA has determined that these special controls, in addition to the
general controls, will provide reasonable assurance of the safety and
effectiveness of the device.
Therefore, on March 19, 2018, FDA issued an order to the requester
classifying the device into class II. In this final order, FDA is
codifying the classification of the device by adding 21 CFR
866.2950.\1\ We have named the generic type of device ``microbial
nucleic acid storage and stabilization device,'' and it is identified
as a device that consists of a container and reagents
[[Page 19645]]
intended to stabilize microbial nucleic acids in human specimens for
subsequent isolation and purification of nucleic acids for further
molecular testing. The device is not intended for preserving morphology
or viability of microorganisms.
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\1\ FDA notes that the ``ACTION'' caption for this final order
is styled as ``Final amendment; final order,'' rather than ``Final
order.'' Beginning in December 2019, this editorial change was made
to indicate that the document ``amends'' the Code of Federal
Regulations. The change was made in accordance with the Office of
the Federal Register's (OFR) interpretations of the Federal Register
Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 15), its implementing regulations (1 CFR 5.9
and parts 21 and 22), and the Document Drafting Handbook.
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FDA has identified the following risks to health associated
specifically with this type of device and the measures required to
mitigate these risks in table 1.
Table 1--Microbial Nucleic Acid Storage and Stabilization Device Risks
and Mitigation Measures
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Identified risks to health Mitigation measures
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Failure to stabilize pathogen General Controls and Special Controls (1)
nucleic acid resulting in a (21 CFR 866.2950(b)(1)), (2) (21 CFR
false negative result. 866.2950(b)(2)), and (3) (21 CFR
866.2950(b)(3)).
Failure to inactivate the General Controls and Special Controls (1)
specimen. (21 CFR 866.2950(b)(1)); (2)(i) (21 CFR
866.2950(b)(2)(i)), (2)(ii) (21 CFR
866.2950(b)(2)(ii)), and (2)(iv) (21 CFR
866.2950(b)(2)(iv)); and (3)(i) ( 21 CFR
866.2950(b)(3)(i)), (3)(ii) (21 CFR
866.2950(b)(3)(ii)), and (3)(iv) (21 CFR
866.2950(b)(3)(iv)).
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FDA has determined that special controls, in combination with the
general controls, address these risks to health and provide reasonable
assurance of safety and effectiveness. For a device to fall within this
classification, and thus avoid automatic classification in class III,
it would have to comply with the special controls named in this final
order. The necessary special controls appear in the regulation codified
by this order. This device is subject to premarket notification
requirements under section 510(k) of the FD&C Act.
III. Analysis of Environmental Impact
The Agency has determined under 21 CFR 25.34(b) that this action is
of a type that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant
effect on the human environment. Therefore, neither an environmental
assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.
IV. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
This final order establishes special controls that refer to
previously approved collections of information found in other FDA
regulations and guidance. These collections of information are subject
to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521). The collections
of information in part 860, subpart D, regarding De Novo Classification
have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0844; the collections
of information in 21 CFR part 814, subparts A through E, regarding
premarket approval, have been approved under OMB control number 0910-
0231; the collections of information in part 807, subpart E, regarding
premarket notification submissions, have been approved under OMB
control number 0910-0120; the collections of information in 21 CFR part
820, regarding quality system regulation, have been approved under OMB
control number 0910-0073; and the collections of information in 21 CFR
parts 801 and 809, regarding labeling, have been approved under OMB
control number 0910-0485.
List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 866
Biologics, Laboratories, Medical devices.
Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and under
authority delegated to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, 21 CFR part
866 is amended as follows:
PART 866--IMMUNOLOGY AND MICORBIOLOGY DEVICES
0
1. The authority citation for part 866 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 351, 360, 360c, 360e, 360j, 360l, 371.
0
2. Add Sec. 866.2950 to subpart C to read as follows:
Sec. 866.2950 Microbial nucleic acid storage and stabilization
device.
(a) Identification. A microbial nucleic acid storage and
stabilization device is a device that consists of a container and
reagents intended to stabilize microbial nucleic acids in human
specimens for subsequent isolation and purification of nucleic acids
for further molecular testing. The device is not intended for
preserving morphology or viability of microorganisms.
(b) Classification. Class II (special controls). The special
controls for this device are:
(1) The intended use for the labeling required under Sec. 809.10
of this chapter must include a detailed description of microorganisms
and types of human specimens intended to be preserved.
(2) The labeling required under Sec. 809.10(b) of this chapter
must include the following:
(i) A detailed device description, including all device components;
(ii) Performance characteristics from applicable analytical
studies, including nucleic acid stability and microorganism
inactivation;
(iii) A limiting statement that erroneous results may occur when
the transport device is not compatible with molecular testing; and
(iv) A limiting statement that the device has only been validated
to preserve the representative microorganisms used in the analytical
studies.
(3) Design verification and validation must include the following:
(i) Overall device design, including all device components and all
control elements incorporated into the analytical validation
procedures;
(ii) Thorough description of the microorganisms and methodology
used in the validation of the device including, extraction platforms
and assays used for the detection of preserved nucleic acids; and
(iii) The limit of detection (LoD) of the molecular test used to
establish microorganism nucleic acid stability.
Dated: May 5, 2025.
Grace R. Graham,
Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2025-08145 Filed 5-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P
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