Agency Communications And Submissions

The relationship between sponsor and regulatory agency is one of the most consequential in drug development. How that relationship is managed, from the earliest scientific advice meeting through to formal submission of a marketing authorisation application, shapes the trajectory of a programme; it is not always easy to recover from poor handling of those early interactions.

At Niche, we have been supporting sponsors in their interactions with regulatory agencies for over 25 years, and we understand how to approach crucial conversations.
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What We Do

We support sponsors across the full range of agency interactions, from pre-submission meetings and scientific advice requests through to CTA and IND filings and ongoing correspondence during the review process. Our team has direct experience with the MHRA, EMA and FDA, as well as a number of other national competent authorities. 

One of the things we consistently observe is that sponsors who invest properly in preparing for agency meetings, and in crafting their written communications carefully, tend to have more productive regulatory relationships. This may seem obvious, but we can help you avoid the temptation to rush these interactions despite the pressures that exist elsewhere in a development programme.

Infographic showing 7 numbered services offered by Niche: orphan drug applications, paediatric investigation plans, investigational new drugs, scientific briefings, marketing applications, innovative licensing pathways, and clinical trial applications.

How We Work

We work with sponsors to develop a clear regulatory strategy before any agency interaction takes place. Understanding what you want to achieve from a meeting or a submission, and anticipating the questions and concerns an agency is likely to raise, makes a significant difference to the outcome. 

For formal submissions, we manage the preparation process from document collection through to final filing. For meetings and correspondence, we prepare the briefing materials and help sponsors rehearse their positions. After interactions, we help interpret agency feedback and advise on appropriate next steps.

Scope Of Service 

  • Pre-submission and scientific advice meeting preparation 
  • Briefing document preparation for agency meetings 
  • Clinical Trial Authorisation submissions (MHRA) 
  • Investigational New Drug applications (FDA)
  • Meeting minutes review and response preparation 
  • Responses to agency questions and deficiency letters 
  • Marketing authorisation application support 
  • Compassionate use and named patient programme submissions 
  • Paediatric Investigation Plan negotiations 
  • Orphan designation applications 
  • Post-approval variation submissions 
  • Liaison with regulatory agency contacts
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Frequently Asked Questions
A scientific advice meeting is a formal interaction with a regulatory agency during which a sponsor can seek guidance on specific aspects of their development programme, such as the design of a pivotal trial, the acceptability of a surrogate endpoint or the regulatory pathway for a particular product.

Most agencies offer this service, and in our experience it is one of the most valuable investments a sponsor can make, particularly early in development when there is still time to act on the advice received.
Responses to agency questions require careful handling. The language used, the structure of the response and the evidence presented all matter. We work with sponsors to understand precisely what the agency is asking, to identify the most effective way to address each point, and to draft responses that are clear, complete and appropriately supported by data.
Yes. We have experience coordinating submissions to multiple agencies simultaneously, including managing the differences in format and content requirements between them. Parallel submissions require careful planning and clear project management, both of which we can provide.

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