{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.02145294978059483, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0019502681618722574, 'mean_word_length': 5.772277227722772, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Expert consensus on novel medicines to prevent preterm birth and manage preterm labour: target product profiles.

OBJECTIVE
To develop target product profiles (TPPs) for new medicines for preterm birth prevention and preterm labour management that address the real world need of women and health care providers, informed by views and agreement amongst globally diverse stakeholders.


DESIGN
Mixed-methods.


SETTING
Global (focus on low and middle-income countries (LMICs)).


POPULATION OR SAMPLE
Global stakeholders with diverse expertise in preterm labour/birth and drug development.


METHODS
Following an initial literature review, diverse stakeholders were invited to participate in an online international survey and in-depth interviews. The level of stakeholder agreement with TPPs was assessed, and findings from interviews were synthesised to inform the final TPPs.


MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES
Level of stakeholder agreement on the minimum and preferred requirements for preterm labour/birth medicines.


RESULTS
We performed 21 interviews. Interview participants demonstrated strong agreement on room temperature stability, no additional drug-specific clinical monitoring, and affordability in LMICs being minimal acceptable requirements. Points of discussion were raised around the target population. Survey respondents included clinicians, researchers, funding agency staff, international public organisation staff, programme implementers, policymakers, representatives of consumer advocacy organisations and other relevant maternal health systems stakeholders. Survey results indicated strong agreement amongst stakeholders, with only one variable in each TPP not reaching consensus (25% disagree or strongly disagree).


CONCLUSION
There is strong consensus within the preterm labour/birth community on characteristics that new medicines for preterm birth prevention and preterm labour management must achieve. These TPPs provide necessary guidance to evaluate new candidates and their potential for implementation in a range of settings.