Yes, a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for a complex New Active Substance (NAS) could theoretically exceed one million pages, particularly in large-scale submissions for cutting-edge or highly complex products. However, this is rare and typically applies to cases involving:
Scenarios Where Page Counts Can Reach Millions
1. Extensive Clinical Data:
• If the drug development program involves large-scale clinical trials (e.g., thousands of participants across multiple studies and regions), the clinical study reports (Module 5) can be massive.
• This includes individual patient data (IPD), statistical analyses, and supplementary materials.
2. Complex Biologic Products:
• Biologics such as monoclonal antibodies or cell and gene therapies often have complex manufacturing processes, requiring extensive documentation in Module 3 (Quality/CMC).
3. Broad Non-Clinical Studies:
• For novel drugs with new mechanisms of action or unclear safety profiles, the non-clinical study reports (Module 4) could encompass vast data from animal studies, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics.
4. Global Submission Dossiers:
• If the submission is prepared for multiple regulatory agencies (e.g., MHRA, EMA, FDA, etc.), the dossier may include data tailored to the requirements of each agency, significantly increasing the overall size.
5. Detailed Appendices and Raw Data:
• Regulatory authorities may request raw datasets from clinical trials, manufacturing, or stability studies, adding millions of pages (or digital file equivalents).
Practical Considerations
• Most regulatory submissions today are done via eCTD (electronic Common Technical Document). This allows the submission to include extremely large datasets and supporting documentation in electronic format, reducing the logistical burden of paper dossiers.
• The sheer size of such submissions may not translate to millions of physical pages but rather large volumes of digital files.
Would you like further insights into managing such large dossiers or strategies for optimizing submissions?