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FDA Regulatory Guidance

FDA Submission Guidance

Everything a statistical programmer needs for FDA regulatory submissions — eCTD structure, data standards, validation requirements, BIMO preparation, and downloadable checklists.

eCTD Module Structure (M1–M5)

Electronic Common Technical Document — the standard format for FDA drug submissions

This is where statistical programmers live. Contains SDTM datasets, ADaM datasets, Define-XML, annotated CRFs, reviewer guides, and all study data packages.

Key Contents

  • Clinical Study Reports (5.3)
  • SDTM Datasets (.xpt / Dataset-JSON)
  • ADaM Datasets (.xpt / Dataset-JSON)
  • Define-XML (v2.0 / v2.1)
  • Annotated CRF (acrf.pdf)
  • cSDRG & ADRG
  • P21 Validation Reports

Stat programmers: This is your Module. datasets/ folder contains tabulations/sdtm/ and analysis/adam/.

Download M5 Folder Template (.zip)

Submission Checklists

Downloadable Excel checklists — 3 sheets covering submission, CRF, and Define-XML validation

Submission Checklist

35+ items covering SDTM/ADaM datasets, Define-XML, annotated CRFs, reviewer guides, P21 validation, eCTD structure, and quality checks.

35+ ItemsSDTCG-Based

CRF Validation

25+ checks for annotated CRFs — domain mapping, variable naming, CT alignment, Define.xml consistency, and PDF formatting.

25+ ChecksMSG-Based

Define-XML Validation

47 checks covering schema validation, dataset/variable metadata, codelists, value-level metadata, ARM (v2.1), P21 rules, and cross-checks.

47 ChecksSDTM + ADaM

BIMO Submission Structure

Bioresearch Monitoring — site inspection data packages with sample SAS programs

The FDA's Bioresearch Monitoring (BIMO) program conducts inspections of clinical investigator sites. When requested, sponsors must provide standardized data listings that enable FDA inspectors to compare submitted data against source documents at the site level. These outputs focus on per-site breakdowns to identify outliers, data inconsistencies, or protocol deviations at individual investigator sites.

Key point for programmers: BIMO outputs are generated from existing SDTM/ADaM datasets but reformatted as per-site listings and summaries. Build programs that accept site ID as a parameter so outputs can be generated for any site on demand.

Sample SAS Programs for BIMO

Production-ready SAS macros parameterized by SITEID. Each program reads from standard SDTM/ADaM libraries and generates formatted PROC REPORT outputs. Download the package and adapt to your study.

bimo_disposition.sas

Subject disposition listing — parameterized by SITEID

bimo_ae_by_site.sas

AE frequency summary + detailed listing per site

bimo_enrollment_by_site.sas

Enrollment counts: screened, randomized, completed per site

bimo_protocol_deviations.sas

Protocol deviation summary + detailed listing per site

bimo_lab_shifts.sas

Lab shift tables (baseline → worst post-baseline) per site

Download BIMO SAS Programs (.zip — 5 programs)

Regulatory Standards Ecosystem

Click any node for details — then "Ask AI" to query that standard's documentation

FDA Standards CDISC Standards ICH Guidelines
FDA Standards & RulesCDISC Data StandardsICH GxP GuidelinesFDA Business RulesFDA Validator RulesSDTCGData Standards CatalogSDTM Model v2.xSDTM v3 (Upcoming)SDTM-IGADaM ModelADaM-IGDefine-XMLCDISC CTMSGICH E3ICH E8(R1)ICH E9(R1)

Standards AI Assistant

Ask questions about any standard in the ecosystem above — powered by a RAG model with document context from the SDTCG, Data Standards Catalog, SDTM-IG, ADaM-IG, Define-XML specs, ICH E3/E8/E9 guidelines, and more. Click any node in the diagram and press "Ask AI About This" to get focused answers from that standard.

Explore AI Center

Official FDA Resources