GUEST COLUMNISTS

• 6 Strategies To Protect Your Biologics Supply Chain In 2023

  Instead of automating everything — which costs a lot and doesn't solve every problem — drug makers should focus on building scalable, need-specific supply chain operations. This article discusses supply chain resilience strategies biotech companies can reasonably control.

• Considerations For Microbial Enumeration Methods When Working With CDMOs

  In microbial enumeration testing, the product-specific interferences are addressed during method development. The execution can vary between laboratories. This article examines general considerations, membrane filtration, and the pour plate method.

• EMA's Revised GMP Annex 1 Addresses Common Global Challenges for Sterile Products

  The new EMA GMP Annex 1, “Manufacture of Sterile Medicinal Products," is in line with other international regulations, e.g., ICH and PIC/S. FDA involvement in its writing is a clear indication that the contents will be the FDA position in general terms. Fortunately, the annex contains many checklists to help you assess and remedy your systems.

• What's Behind The ASTM E3263 Standard Revision?

  ASTM has published the revision of ASTM E3263 Standard Practice For Qualification Of Visual Inspection Of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Equipment And Medical Devices For Residues. This article, written by the ASTM revision team, explains the reasons behind the revision and delves into the key updates.

• Considerations For Sterility Test Methods When Working With CDMOs

  Confirmation of microbial quality of drug products manufactured by CDMOs is a key component of product release. It is important to ensure that laboratory-specific method suitability testing is performed to ensure appropriate recovery of the presence of potential contaminants.

• FDA Adopts ICH Final Guidance On Bioanalytical Method Validation

  The FDA has issued final guidance on the validation of biological assays, titled M10 Bioanalytical Method Validation and Study Sample Analysis. ICH approved the final guidance in May 2022, so this FDA adoption completes international acceptance of a unified approach. It extends to both full and partial validation for clinical and nonclinical studies.

• FDA Seeks Comment On Delaying, Denying, Limiting, Refusing Inspections

  The FDA has released for public comment a proposed draft guidance, Circumstances that Constitute Delaying, Denying, Limiting, or Refusing a Drug or Device Inspection Revision 1. The guidance shares examples of reasonable and unreasonable circumstances. Submit public comments by February 14, 2023.