FDA TERMINOLOGYNAMsAlternatives
Regulatory Definition

New Approach Methodologies

NAMs: The FDA's Framework for Alternatives

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FDA DEFINITION

New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) is the regulatory term encompassing any technology, methodology, approach, or combination thereof that can provide information on drug safety and/or effectiveness that historically has been derived from animal testing. NAMs include organoids, organ-on-chip, in silico modeling, AI/ML, and computational approaches.

NAMs CATEGORIES

IN VITRO
Cell-Based Systems

Organoids, organ-chips, MPS, 3D cultures, spheroids—human cell-based models.

IN SILICO
Computational

PBPK modeling, QSAR, digital twins, AI/ML prediction models.

HYBRID
Integrated Approaches

Combinations of in vitro and in silico methods for comprehensive assessment.

BIOMARKERS
Translational

Human-relevant biomarkers that bridge preclinical to clinical prediction.

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