Former FDA; regulatory and CMC expert with extensive knowledge of regulations and policy related to CGT and beyond
Product & Process Development
Facilities, Manufacturing, & Compliance
Project & Program Management
Regulatory Affairs
Clinical Regulatory
Dr. Benton specialized in cell and gene therapy products during her multi-decade career at the US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).
Most recently, she served for as Associate Director for Regulatory Management in the Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies (OTAT). In this role, she directed the regulatory review program for the broad portfolio of products under OTAT’s purview: human tissues, cellular therapies, gene therapies, therapeutic vaccines, xenotransplantation products, and purified and recombinant versions of therapeutic proteins for hematology. For the majority of her career at FDA, she directed and managed chemistry, manufacturing, and controls review, serving in prior positions as Deputy Director of the Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies in the Office of Cellular, Tissue, and Gene Therapies, and Chief of the Cell Therapies Branch.
Kim began her regulatory career as a Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Reviewer of cell therapies, and a research Staff Fellow.
In her cumulative experience at CBER, Kim participated in all aspects of the regulatory review and oversight of cell and gene therapy products, from pre-submission meetings (pre-INDs), IND review, BLA review, advisory committees meetings for scientific topics and for license applications, device review (510(k), PMA, HDE), guidance and policy development, and regulation writing, revision, and interpretation.
Other highlights of her time at FDA include initiating regulatory convergence and harmonization efforts on cell therapies with global regulatory agencies including foundational efforts for the International Pharmaceutical Regulators Forum and conferences with the Asia Pacific Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Dr. Benton's work with DHC clients often focuses on interpretation of communications from regulatory authorities, and development of strategies to achieve the client's regulatory goal(s) by ensuring that information presented to the regulatory authority in meetings or regulatory submissions is presented as clearly and effectively as possible.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Ph.D. in Microbiology
Salisbury State University
B.S. in Biology, Minor in Chemistry
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