21st Century Cures Act provisions

Timeline of the FDA’s progress

2017
October
  • Draft guidance for the Breakthrough Devices Program.
November
  • Draft guidance for expedited programs for regenerative medicine therapies for serious conditions.
2018
June
  • Draft guidance for patient-focused drug development.
  • Draft guidance for the Humanitarian Device Exemption program. Deadline for final guidance not specified.
December
  • Final guidance for the Breakthrough Devices program.
  • Framework for the Real-World Evidence Program.
2019
February
  • Final guidance for expedited programs for regenerative medicine therapies for serious conditions.
December
  • Deadline for draft guidance on the qualification of drug development tools. Deadline for final guidance is six months after the public comment period for the draft closes.
2020
June
  • Deadline for revised or final guidance for patient-focused drug development.
2021
December
  • Deadline for draft guidance on the Real-World Evidence Program.
  • Deadline for revised or final guidance is 18 months after the public comment period for the draft closes.