June 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday proposed allowing makers of cell ‌and gene therapies targeting rare and life-threatening ‌diseases to use existing scientific knowledge to expedite development.

Here are a ​few details:

• The agency in its draft guidance said the recommendations outline how developers can leverage chemistry, manufacturing and controls data, and nonclinical and clinical prior knowledge ‌from other relevant ⁠products.

• The information that could be used includes medical or scientific information that is ⁠generally accepted by experts as well as knowledge gained from developing and manufacturing similar products and processes, the ​FDA said.

• ​This prior knowledge could ​help streamline submissions and ‌subsequent review, and to expedite product development.

• The FDA had proposed a new framework earlier this year to accelerate approvals of personalized treatments for rare genetic diseases, allowing drugmakers to rely on small, well-controlled studies ‌when traditional trials are not possible.

• ​The agency had faced intense ​scrutiny under former ​Commissioner Marty Makary, who stepped down last ‌month after a string of ​controversial rare-disease ​treatment decisions and public clashes with drugmakers.

• A permanent replacement has not yet been announced, and ​Deputy Commissioner for ‌Food Kyle Diamantas is leading the agency in ​an acting capacity.

(Reporting by Mariam Sunny in ​Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed)